Thomas grabbed the blankets and covered himself up as he attempted to splutter some stupid excuses while the woman he had been thrusting into sat up with a huge smirk on her face, she tossed her hair over her shoulders and didn't even bother to hide the fact that she enjoyed seeing Delia catch them out.  "Delia. Please. It's not what it looks like." He clumsily fell to the floor as he tried to pull his pants up.  "Do you think that I'm stupid or blind? I can see myself what's going on here," Delia growled at him and clenched her fists angrily. She didn't want to cry and give them the satisfaction of seeing her hurt by their disgusting actions.  "Oh, darling. My love, let's not hide away so shamefully any longer. We need to give her some dignity." The blonde woman suddenly stood up and pulled her clothes back on. Delia turned to the woman and wanted to punch her in the face but she didn't dare move from her spot. She recognised her from somewhere but couldn't put a name to her face.  "And you? What the hell are you doing in my bed with my husband?" Delia screeched seeing red she thundered towards the woman shoving Thomas out of the way. He scrambled up to try to stop her but she ignored him. The woman's eyes widened and she shrieked, jumping onto the bed and cowering away from Delia dramatically. Delia wanted to kill her. "Don't touch me please, I'm pregnant." The woman screamed hysterically, holding her hands out to protect herself, causing Thomas to rush to her and hold her in his arms. He soothed her as she held onto him tightly and cried her fake tears. Delia was even more shocked by the way her husband hurried to his mistresses side to defend her. How can she be his first priority? Didn't he love Delia enough to worry about how she felt? Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Delia glared at the pair of them and wondered how she could have been so stupid. Thomas didn't deserve to know she was pregnant. How could he treat her like that and have another woman in their bed? Delia realised that this must have been going on for months and clearly not a one off if this woman was stating she was pregnant. "Delia, let's go and talk about this like adults." Thomas tried to calm the situation finally realising how out of control things were becoming. Delia scowled and grabbed her suitcase, pulling out drawers and throwing her belongings into it, she refused to look at either of them. The woman was crying harder so Thomas held onto her and she felt smug that he hadn't shown any loyalty to his wife. She didn't want Thomas to sway from her reach. "I'm so sorry that you had to find out this way, but me and Thomas. We are in love." The woman wiped her eyes and shot Delia a look that spelt triumph. "Delia we will talk about this later." Thomas piped up, holding the woman's hand and leading her out the room. "I'm going to take Samantha home." He looked disgusted at his wife as she threw a bag at his head and narrowly missed as he ducked and rushed out the room with his mistress. Delia felt sick at the sight of them together. Sinking to the floor she allowed the tears to finally flow down her face and placed a protective hand on her belly as if she was assuring her unborn baby that everything would be okay. How could he do that to her after everything that she had done for him? She heard the front door slam and the engine whirl to life from the open window. Getting up, she looked out the window to see her husband pulling off the driveway with his mistress in the red bmw she had seen when she arrived home not even an hour ago. Biting her bottom lip, Delia drew in a deep breath and turned back to her half packed suitcase. "Never again will I waste my tears on you." She muttered under breath as she picked up a photo of her and Thomas on their wedding day, she threw it across the room shattering the glass instantly and shards landed all over the brown carpet. Delia didn't care about that. She hated Thomas for what he had done to her. She knew that he could never have loved her because his actions proved otherwise. "I want a divorce, cheating scumbag.." she glowered and closed the suitcase. Picking up her phone Delia dialed a number and after a couple of rings the phone answered. "Can you come and pick me up?" she said and the voice down the other end of the phone immediately agreed. Hanging up the phone, Delia grabbed her last few belongings and took off her wedding ring and placed it on the dressing table where she knew that Thomas would see it. Pulling out her bank cards she placed them next to the ring and left the room for the last time. She wanted nothing more to do with the man who has broken her heart. As Delia stepped into the dimly lit hallway, her heart felt heavy, each beat echoing the finality of her decision. She could still hear the phantom sounds of Thomas and Samantha-their laughter and whispers now tainted with betrayal. Wrapping her arms around herself as if that could provide some semblance of comfort, she walked down the corridor and out the front door. The chill of the evening air hit her, but it was a refreshing contrast to the suffocating atmosphere she had left behind. The dark clouds overhead mirrored her turmoil, thick and looming, ready to unleash a storm that had been building within her. She leaned against the railing of the porch, waiting for her ride, trying to gather her thoughts amidst the chaos of emotions swirling inside her. A car pulled up shortly, the headlights illuminating her figure. Delia recognized the familiar silhouette in the driver's seat-her best friend, Rachel. With a gentle smile, Rachel stepped out and rushed over, concern etched on her face. "Delia, are you okay?" Rachel asked, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Delia melted into the hug, allowing the warmth of friendship to envelop her. "No, I'm not," she admitted, feeling the tears threaten to spill again. "I just caught him cheating on me... in our bed." Rachel's expression hardened, anger flashing in her eyes. "That bastard. You deserve so much better, Dee." "I thought I knew him. I thought we were happy," Delia whispered, her voice trembling. "And now there's a baby involved." Rachel pulled back slightly to look into Delia's eyes, searching for clarity. "You don't need to worry about that right now. What's important is you." Taking a deep breath, Delia nodded. "I'm done. I've wasted enough time crying over someone unworthy of my love. I want a divorce, and it's time I finally put myself first." "Good! Finally, some self-love!" Rachel beamed, her voice steady and supportive. "Let's get you out of here and somewhere safe. You can stay at my place until you figure things out." With a grateful smile, Delia climbed into the car and glanced back at the house one last time. The familiar façade now felt foreign and unwelcoming. As they drove away, leaving her old life in the rearview mirror, she couldn't shake the sense of loss mixed with relief. "So, what's your plan?" Rachel asked, keeping her eyes on the road. "I mean, in terms of divorce... do you have a lawyer?" "I have someone in mind," Delia replied, thinking of Clara, her tough-as-nails lawyer friend who had been there for her through tough situations before. "But I haven't reached out yet. I wanted to make sure I was certain." "Well, you are certain now!" Rachel asserted, determination in her tone. "And I'll be with you every step of the way. You're not alone." The words wrapped around Delia like a lifeline, buoying her spirits even as she anticipated the long, painful journey ahead. What had felt like a trap was now an opportunity for freedom. As they drove through the city, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue on the streets. It reminded Delia of the possibility of new beginnings-the promise of a life that was hers alone. "Let's grab some ice cream and binge-watch our favorite shows tonight. It's the least I can do for you, considering the day you've had," Rachel said, her voice breaking the contemplative silence. Delia chuckled softly, her heart warming at the thought. "You know me well. Ice cream sounds perfect." Moments later, they pulled into the parking lot of a cozy little ice cream shop adorned with neon lights. As they approached the counter, Delia felt a fire ignite within her, fueled by her resolve to reclaim her life. "Single scoop of 'New Beginnings' for me," she declared with a hint of a smile, the name of the flavor feeling more significant than ever. As they left the shop, cups in hand and laughter bubbling between them, Delia knew this was the start of something new. She could feel it deep within, a flicker of hope igniting her spirit. The road ahead would be tough, but she was ready to face it-one moment at a time, with her best friend by her side. And, for the first time in a long time, she felt free.

Samantha was pleased with herself that Delia had finally found out about their affair, maybe now Samantha could finally marry the successful boss that she had been after for as long as she could remember. Samantha didn't ever see Delia as good enough for Thomas. She didn't seem to appreciate him like Samantha did. "I'm so sorry that had to happen." Samantha turned to Thomas as he kept his eyes on the road and both hands placed firmly on the steering wheel. "It's not your fault. I haven't been happy with her for a long time. I guess she needed to find out sooner or later." Thomas shrugged his shoulders as if it were no big deal but instead his heart he couldn't deny how the guilt stabbed at him. He swallowed hard and focused on where he was going. He decided that he would talk to Delia properly later. She had been distant for a while and he had his needs. Samantha was the opposite of Delia, she wore short skirts, made an effort with her hair and make up. She have Thomas the attention he craved and he couldn't stop himself from bending her over his desk and having sex with her. He knew it was wrong and he shouldn't do it since he had made a commitment to how wife five years ago when he married her and vowed to stay loyal and faithful but things had changed since then. Delia had stopped making an effort with herself and would barely speak to him unless she needed something. He didn't think it was fair that she would blame him for being driven into another woman's arms and now she was pregnant with his child. Thomas relished at the idea of being a father but it also scared him a little. He was pushing thirty and knew it would have to happen eventually. His business as a successful ceo would need to be handed down to a heir one day when he decided to retire. "Darling, let's go shopping I need a few things. For the baby." Samantha pouted and rubbed Thomas on his thigh seductively. He couldn't say no to Samantha. She was sexy and everything he could only dream about. It was difficult for him to control himself. "Of course my sweetness." He pulled into the car park and pulled out his wallet. Samantha grinned as she took his credit card and leant across to plant a kiss on his cheek. "I will just be a moment." Thomas informed her as he got out of the car to go and pay for the parking. He smiled to himself as Samantha waited in the car for him. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and decided to try and contact his wife to make sure that she was ok and had hopefully calmed down. Arguing was not what he wanted to do. He frowned when the call went straight through to the answer machine. He placed his phone back into his pocket and quickly got his ticket for parking. Turning around he headed back to the car where Samantha was waiting impatiently. "Thomas, what took you so long?" She huffed, crossing her arms in mock annoyance, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I was just making sure everything was in order," he replied, trying to downplay the moment of hesitation he had felt when calling Delia. "You know, didn't want to keep you waiting." "Let's go, then! I can't wait to pick out the cutest little outfits for our baby. Just think of all the attention they'll get!" Samantha cooed, her excitement bubbling over. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I've already seen some adorable things online-like tiny little shoes and a matching hat. We have to make sure this little one is the most fashionable baby on the block!" Thomas's heart raced at her enthusiasm, yet a flicker of doubt gnawed at him. He loved the idea of being a father, but it felt surreal given the circumstances. The weight of his betrayal loomed large over him, even as he sat next to Samantha, who represented the thrill of a new beginning. "Right, shopping first. Being practical is key." He nodded, forcing himself to focus on her. "Let's get everything you need." Once inside the store, Samantha became a whirlwind of energy, darting from aisle to aisle, picking out items with glee. Thomas trailed behind, half-heartedly scanning the merchandise, while his mind drifted to Delia. He hadn't been the perfect husband and had taken her for granted. Yet, the more he watched Samantha move with confidence, the more he found himself drawn to her. She exuded a life he craved: vibrant, passionate, and unapologetic. "Look at these!" Samantha held up a tiny onesie that read "Daddy's Little Star" and giggled. "It's cute, isn't it?" Thomas forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, cute." As they moved to the checkout, Thomas's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down, heart flipping at the name on the screen. Delia. Ignoring the call felt wrong, but answering it drew a line he wasn't sure he was ready to cross. "Are you going to get that?" Samantha asked, noticing his expression. "It's..." he hesitated. "It's nothing. Just a work thing. Let's focus on the baby." "Sure! Your last-minute decision not to answer could definitely wait," she teased, though her smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of concern passing across her face. The register chimed as they paid for the adorable baby clothes, and the clerk flashed a knowing grin. Thomas took the bags from her, trying to absorb the rush of the shopping trip, the excitement of what lay ahead. Outside, the sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm glow over the mall. Samantha looked at him expectantly, biting her lip. "So, what's next on our agenda? I mean, we can't just go home yet after making all these purchases! We should celebrate!" Thomas bit back a reluctance, sensing a storm brewing in his personal life. But Samantha's infectious excitement pulled him under. "Alright, let's grab a bite. Your treat, of course," he said, smirking at her. "Anything for you, love!" she chirped, linking her arm in his as they headed toward the exit. And yet, as he walked beside her, a shadow haunted him-a reminder that he still had a wife to answer to, a heart to mend, and choices that could change everything. With every step he took, the path was becoming more convoluted, and he wondered just how long he could keep both worlds separate before everything came crashing down.   

Delia stared at her phone and growled crossly as he had the nerve to try and ring her after everything that he had done. Didn't he realise how much pain that he had caused her? They were supposed to be happy, she had loved that man with every ounce of her being. She had been faithful and waited on him hand and foot, and this is how he had repaid her? Did Thomas not respect his wife enough to be loyal back? "I'm here for you, Delia. Don't let that bitch and that cheating scumbag get you down. They aren't worth it." Her best friend reached across the table and said firmly. Looking up at her best friend, Delia smiled a little. She knew that her friends was right but it was hard. She thought of how only a couple of hours ago she had been excited to tell Thomas he would soon be a father but it turned out he was already going to be a father to his secretary's unborn child. "Delia, what are you going to do?" She asked softly. Delia drew in a breath and placed her hands on the table. "I'm going to divorce him and take him for everything that he's got. He will regret messing with me." Delia declared, her voice steadying as determination surged within her. Her friend's eyes widened in surprise, and Delia could see the support radiating from her. "Are you sure? I mean, it's a big step," her friend replied gently, concern lacing her tone. "I've put up with his neglect for too long. I let him take me for granted while I poured my love into a man who clearly didn't appreciate it. I could've built a life with him-but instead, he chose to destroy ours with someone else. I deserve more." Delia felt the words fire up within her, igniting a resilience she hadn't known she possessed. Her friend nodded, slowly. "Okay, but you have to be smart about it. Have you thought about everything you want from this divorce?" "Of course," Delia said, a hint of pride creeping into her tone. "I want joint custody of any children we might have, a fair split of our assets, and most importantly, I want my dignity back. I won't let him make a fool out of me anymore." "Good. You have every right to stand your ground," her friend replied, visibly relieved by Delia's clarity of purpose. "And I'm here for you. Whatever you need, just say the word." "Thanks, I really appreciate it," Delia said, her heart grateful for the support. She had always been the strong one-always rooting for others and placing their needs above hers. Now it was time for her to prioritize herself and regain control of her life. "You know, I'm right here, and I'll help you through this," her friend reminded her. "You won't be alone. We can find a good attorney, and I can help you figure out what to do next." Delia took another deep breath, feeling lighter. "That would be amazing. I did love him once-maybe even still do-but this... this is a wake-up call, and I refuse to let it be for nothing. I can't let my life revolve around someone who doesn't cherish me." As they continued to strategize over their dinner, Delia felt a mix of sadness and excitement wash over her. Yes, it hurt deeply to know that Thomas had betrayed her, but it also unveiled a world of possibilities she had never allowed herself to envision. A world without the weight of his infidelity hanging over her shoulders. "I want a new start," she declared, her voice tightening with renewed resolve. "One where I don't have to hide or shrink myself to cater to someone else's needs. I will be the woman I was before him-before I thought I had to change to keep someone else happy." "Absolutely! You will rise from this stronger than ever," her friend affirmed, reaching out to squeeze Delia's hand in solidarity. Delia smiled, a genuine one this time, as her heart began to mend itself. It was going to be a long road ahead, but she wasn't alone. She had people who believed in her, and that made all the difference. Tough choices awaited her, but with each passing moment, she felt a clarity that brought hope. "Tomorrow," she concluded decisively, "I'll start gathering information on attorneys." "Perfect! And after that, let's go out and treat ourselves. You deserve it!" Delia chuckled, "What I really deserve is a big glass of wine, but I'll take the treatment too!" As they laughed and toasted to her new beginning, Delia understood that this was her turning point. She was ready to step into her power and reclaim her happiness, no matter the cost. Thomas had made his choices, and now it was time for her to make hers.