I stood up straight and cleaned the sweat that had perspired on my forehead from all the work that I had been doing. I looked around the house and smiled at myself. I was finally done after three whole hours of cleaning. The house looked spotless and the preparations I had carried out for our four-year anniversary. The room smelled of lavender just how Frank liked it. The red petals I had peppered on the ground and around the house gave a nice touch to the already set table where we would have dinner and, if I was lucky enough, make love. I looked at the clock on my phone and sighed. 7:05 pm. He would be back at 7:30 pm sharp like he always did. I had to have a bath and change before he arrived.

Some minutes passed and soon enough I was bathed and dressed in all the scents and clothes that I knew would get a rise out of Frank on our special night. I didn't wear any makeup since Frank wasn't a big fan of non-natural women. The black lingerie that complimented my striking red hair and emerald eyes stuck to my body perfectly, showing off all my curves and the silk robe I wore covered up just enough to give a peek and elicit a response. I looked sexy and I loved it.

I checked my phone again at 7:29 pm. I turned to the door as I sat out dining in our open-floor planned house and waited excitedly for the door to open up and my husband to walk in. I took a seat on the dining table facing the door and opened a slit in my robe for a sensual effect and waited, preparing myself that he would walk through those doors any moment. Unfortunately for me, about thirty minutes went by before I figured out that he wouldn't be coming home early or maybe not at all. I picked up my phone nervously hoping that nothing had happened to him and dialed his number. After two rings, he answered the call, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Shit. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier, Alexia. I'm swamped with work, and I forgot to tell you that I might not be coming home tonight." His voice filled my ears before I could even say a word.

I frowned. I knew he was always busy and sometimes traveling weeks at a time for work, but it was a special day. He should have known this.

"It's the third time, Frank. I thought we were going to spend the night together," I pointed out.

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry. Work has just been hectic, and my boss gave me overtime tonight. I promise that I will make it up to you, my love. I just need to do this if I want the promotion we talked about."

"So, where will you sleep? At the office?" I asked, resigning to the fact that I would not sleep next to my husband that night.

"No, I'll book a hotel room close to the office for the night. I might not get enough sleep, but it's better than nothing since I'll have to be there early anyway."

"What if I bring you some food tonight?" I offered, understanding but a bit desperate at that point.

"Don't stress yourself. I'll just order room service. I'll see you tomorrow when I get back. Night."

He ended the call without a word about our anniversary. I dropped my phone on the table. Did he forget again? No. He couldn't have. Maybe the work was too much for him and it slipped his mind. I shook my head in confusion. I had to check up on him, even if he didn't want me to. I eyed my phone tugging with the idea of finding out where he was and, in the end, my curiosity and wifely needs won. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through it, using the 'find my family' app to find out where Frank was. It was a plan I opted to have. I didn't think I would need it, but I was glad that I got it. In about two minutes, the app blinked green, and the location appeared on my phone.

I got up from the table and went into the bedroom. I took my purse and wore a large coat to cover up what I was wearing. I also went into the kitchen and packed some food for him, just in case he wanted my cooking afterward, since he was a picky man. With everything I needed in my hands, I left our home and wandered into the starry night.

It took twenty minutes for me to pull up in front of the hotel where he was staying for the night. The Maryland Hotel and Suites. A somewhat tacky name, but at least it looked nice from the outside. I parked my car myself and walked into the building with my coat still on me and the food in my hands. I approached the receptionist's desk and smiled at her.

"Good evening, ma'am. What can I do for you?" The receptionist said in a kind tone.

"My name is Alexia Finch, and I'm here to see my husband, Frank Finch." I replied, cutting straight to the point.

"Can I see an ID please? It's for security purposes," She asked.

"Of course. I understand. Here." I said after I pulled out my ID from my purse and handed it over to her.

With one look at my credentials, she handed my card back to me and then passed me a black key card with a golden number on it. 111 and a lone 4 below it.

"Mr. Frank is in room 111, on the fourth floor, as the card shows. I hope you have a wonderful night, Mrs. Finch." She said to me with a smile.

I returned her smile, turned from the desk and walked straight to the elevator, pressing the button for the third floor immediately I got in. The elevator slowly ascended, causing tremors to go up my spine and butterflies to swarm in my stomach. I was so close. The elevator doors opened, allowing me to get on to the floor. I looked around, and my eyes landed on a brown wooden door with Frank's room number on it. I got to it and took a deep breath before swiping the card and entering the now opened room. My heels clacked on the tiles as I glanced around the room.

"Frank?" I called out to my husband, but I heard no response back.

The living room was dark and as I heard shuffling inside, I assumed that Frank was still working in the main bedroom. I set the purse and keys in my hands on the living room table and shrugged off my coat, ready to surprise my husband.

In the end, it was me who was surprised because while I went into the bedroom to see my husband hunched over some papers with his reading glasses on, I would never have guessed that he would be on top of someone, grunting, grinding and saying how much he loved them. His moans reached my ears. Moans I had never heard when he and I were together. The container of food dropped from my hands and clattered to the floor, spilling its contents everywhere as I stood frozen in shock at what I was witnessing. 

Frank stopped plowing whoever was below him and turned to look at what had caused the noise. His eyes widened when they landed on me, who was in nothing but lingerie. My lip quivered and my heart sank. Frank got up from the person, used one of the bed sheets to cover himself up and then turned to face me. He put his hands up in a pleading manner.

"Alexia, it's not what you think it is." He said as he watched on like a deer caught in headlights.

My heart shattered into a million pieces at the sight of the man I loved trying to gaslight me on what I had seen with my own eyes. It was too much to bear. At that point, I felt my blood warm up, and I stepped forward, my anger beginning to materialize.

"Then what is it? Huh. What the hell is it then, Frank Finch?" 

"What is it? Huh. What the hell is this Frank Finch?" I screamed at him at the top of my lungs, my heart beating like it was about to explode in my chest.

Frank gulped and stared at me like he was a deer caught in headlights. He let me stand in silence as he thought of what exactly he would say to me to make this all go away. While I waited and my emotions were about to bleed out, the sheets rustled and a strawberry-blonde-haired woman popped up. Combined with the fact that she looked very young to be with a thirty-year-old man, she had on a full face of make-up. Something that Frank swore up and down that he hated. The girl in the sheets stared at me for a moment and then glared.

"Who are you?" She asked, her brows furrowing in annoyance.

"Who am I? I'm his wife." I answered a bit sarcastically, as if she should have known that piece of information while I shoved my hand in her face, showing her the ring that was still on my ring finger. 

"Who are you?" I questioned her back, desperately wanting answers.

"You can't..." The mistress began until Frank shut her up.

"Stop it Marc." Frank ordered her.

I frowned as this Marc character rolled her eyes.

"Marc? Isn't that a man's name?" I queried my cheating husband, confused at what was going on.

"What do you think?" Marc blurted out with sarcasm and a hint of pride before Frank could stop her. Well, I suppose him, as it had been revealed to me. My mouth dropped. This can't be happening. 

I scoffed, shocked and still a little bit disgusted that my husband did this to me. My hands unconsciously rose to cover up my exposed body. At first, I wanted my husband to see me for who I was and love me, but now I felt like I was being stripped down and molested just by him and his lover's prying eyes. By two men. It was like a slap in the face.

"So, you had the audacity to cheat on me, and you did it with a man?" I questioned my husband, my eyes widening at the realization. 

"Who are you calling a man?" Marc screamed at me, like I had offended him.

"Hey, shut up! That's enough." Frank shouted back at him before he turned to me and spoke in a calm manner.

"Alexia. This is a mistake." Frank assured me, his face contorting in slight fear. 

"You call cheating on me a mistake." I shouted at him, with no doubt an incredulous look on my face.

There was silence as Frank didn't speak up again to defend himself. 

"How long?" I asked, not wanting to look at him anymore. I just needed to know and get out of there.

"Alexia." Frank tried to divert the conversation, but I stood firm.

"How long Frank? You at least owe me that after all this." I said, with tears welling up in my eyes as if I already knew the damning answer to that question.

"Two years." He told me. I blinked, my eyes watering.

"Has it only been him?" I prodded more. 

"No." Frank answered, his voice strained. 

"Why? I have been nothing but a faithful and devoted wife to you for four years. Why did you do this?" I asked, the tears already flowing down my face in torrents as I sniffled. Frank's countenance changed as if he had a change of heart or something. I thought I was just seeing things, but when he spoke next, I knew that I was right. This was not the man I fell in love with. 

"I just didn't find you attractive. You were boring, and I was looking for something more."

"Boring? Have you forgotten that you made me dress up and act this way? I was an independent woman. A freaking lawyer with her life ahead of her and you, with the promise of love and children, turned me into this. I gave up my life for you and this is how you repay me." I asked him, not believing what I was hearing.

"Don't blame me for your choices. I didn't force you to be who you are now. Yes, I did pursue you because you were a firecracker, but that was then. My tastes have changed since then. I'm into other things. Other people." Frank stated without any remorse for what he had done to me over the years, his face no longer apologetic but now stoic and composed. He meant what he had said. He didn't love me. He never did.

I glanced between him and Marc, my feelings running all over the place. Still, I had one last question.

"Is this the reason why you didn't want to have children with me? Is it because of the multiple affairs?"

Frank sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"I wanted children, just not with you. In all honesty, the women I've been with are all capable of giving me children. From CEOs to bankers. Hell, even a doctor. If I have the cream of the crop, why would I settle for a woman with nothing? Why would I settle for less?" He said with slight resentment in his voice.

I stared at him frozen to the spot. Me. Less? When he made me this way. When I did all this to please him. My sadness was washed out and anger flooded my mind. I saw red.

"You know what? To hell with you Frank. You and your man."

"Hey." Marc exclaimed with a cocked eyebrow, as if I didn't have a right to be angry. He sneered at me, baring his teeth like he was a dog. 

"If you want this marriage to be over so badly, then you'll get it. You'll get the divorce papers you so desperately want." I screamed at him.

"And do you think that's wise? I've been providing for you for four years and I know that you don't have any savings. If you leave me, then you'll suffer on the street." Frank asked me in a mocking and condescending tone.

I look at him, wondering how I fell in love with this man in the first place. I grimaced at him and, without a word, I stormed out of the room. I grabbed my phone, purse and my coat from the couches in the living area and bolted out of the room. It didn't take long for me to enter the empty elevator and press the button for the first floor, and it took even less time for me to put on my coat as I cried my eyes out in solitude.

The elevator had arrived at the first floor and opened, allowing me access into the lobby. I walked quickly, not wanting to be noticed by anyone. I walked out of the building and into the cold night, wrapping my coat tighter around my body and trying to keep my tears at bay.

As if the universe was against me, it began to rain. The rain soaked me from head to toe, but I didn't bother running for shelter. My heart was already broken, there was no point in acting any other way. I was going to take my sweet time getting to my car. In about three minutes of me being assaulted by the rain, I got to the garage and got into my car. As I stared at my driving wheel, I couldn't help but wonder if it was really love or was I deceived into that charade of a marriage. Four years of my life disappeared in the blink of an eye. I groaned and hit my head on the wheel, partly blaming myself for not seeing the signs and blaming Frank for making me feel this way. I slammed my hands repeatedly on the wheel, trying to beat out my frustrations with the thing. This was all my fault. How had I been that stupid?

Just then, a thought popped into my head. I hadn't had decent sex for three years of my life. Hell, I hadn't had any since Frank was always too busy for me. I figured that if I wanted to get the image of Frank out of my head, then I had to get under someone else. I needed a reprieve and a drink paired with either a man or a woman on my arm would do just the job. I pressed the power button in my car and drove off into the night, already knowing the club that I wanted to lose all my inhibitions and let loose. Frank was not going to ruin this night for me. 

Rave. The name of the club highlighted in neon lights screamed out at me as it cut through the darkness of the night. I got out of my car. The rain had already gone by the time I reached her destination. I could hear the dull bass beats coming out of the building amidst the growing line of people standing in a line outside.

"One pass please." I spoke to the bouncer in front of the door, my legs already aching from walking from the parking lot to the door.

"Back of the line, miss." The bouncer spoke to me in a monotone voice, like he had done this a million times to eager women like me.

The people in the line began to murmur. Some even shouted at me to stop trying to cut through and go to the back of the line. I rolled my eyes and dug into my purse. I took out a hundred dollar bill and showed it to the man trying to entice him. Contrary to what my husband may have believed, I did have a savings account. The same account that I had taken money out of for this very purpose. I raised a brow, waiting for him to bite, but the man looked at me unimpressed and said in the same voice as before.

"Back of the line."

I groaned and took out another bill, making it two hundred dollar bills.

"Is this better?" I asked the man, getting frustrated as my blasted memories began to drift back into my mind. I needed alcohol. Immediately.

"I won't say it again. Back of the line." The bouncer threatened, his mouth drawn in a straight line, showing that he was not playing around with me.

"A thousand dollars then. That should be enough to get me in." I argued with him as I rustled through the contents of my purse searching for more money. He eyed me for a moment before I pulled the dollar bills out and gestured for him to take it. A gesture that he gladly accepted before he removed the velvet line, allowing me to enter the building, but not after smirking in the direction of the disgruntled people that I cut in before.

As I entered the club, the atmosphere changed drastically. I could hear the sounds of the club outside, but now that I stood inside, I could see the difference clearly. Sweaty bodies moved and ground together in sweltering heat as drinks flowed freely in every corner. Hell, I even saw one guy snort what seemed to be cocaine from some woman's breasts. It was not typically my scene, but this was what I wanted for tonight. A night of debauchery. A night to forget all my troubles.

I smiled and made a beeline for the bar I saw across the dance floor. With several looks coming my way from both men and women, I crossed the dance floor and reached the bar, my coat still clinging to my body. 

"Whiskey on the rocks." I told the slim bartender behind the counter. The man looked at my small frame and leaned closer to me like he was about to advise me against it, but with one sharp look, he leaned back and did as he was told.

In two minutes my drink arrived. I grabbed the glass and downed the alcohol in one big gulp, feeling the drink burn my throat.

"Another." I said through the burn, slamming the glass back onto the bar table.

He smiled to himself and took my glass away for a refill. By the time he left, a deep masculine voice that sounded like dripping honey reached my ears.

"Hey baby. Want to have a good time with me?"

I turned my head to see the man who was speaking to me. A five-footed man with a brown mop of hair stood next to me with a drink in his hands. He shot me a smirk, confident in what he was doing. Just what I was looking for. Someone to keep my mind about what just happened to me. I was about to accept his proposal until my eyes landed on the wedding ring on his finger. The image of Henry encroached on my mind, causing me to involuntarily sneer at the man.

"Don't you have a wife at home?" I asked him as the bartender placed the glass in front of me, not being at all subtle about my disgust with what he was trying to do.

The man sighed and glanced at his wedding ring before removing it and placing it in his pocket. He turned to me again with a grin.

"Don't worry about that. The missus will never know. What do you say?" He asked me, his brow rising.

I shook my head at his offer and downed the second glass before speaking.

"Don't bother. I'm not into married men," I said before turning away to leave. 

"Come on baby, don't be like that." The man said as he got closer to me and grabbed my hand. 

He leaned in and licked my right ear in what he thought was a sensual way, but it just made my skin crawl. I came here to have some fun, not to be groped by another cheating husband. By reflex, my right knee went upwards, hitting the man in his family jewels and allowing me to slip out from under him and get lost in the crowd. I didn't bother turning back to see if he was all right. I didn’t care. Although I had been out of the game, I was sure that the kick I gave him was enough to do some damage. Nothing permanent but he would feel it for a week at least. 

I wiped my ear in disgust with the back of my hand and walked to the end of the dance floor, annoyed. I had changed my mind. I didn't want fun anymore, not after what had just happened. I wandered along the dance floor until I reached a hallway with several rooms. I was going to circle back to avoid that man seeing me. 

I slowly moved, thinking of what I would do when I got back to my house, when I felt a strong hand grab me by my hair and push me against the wall. I screamed as a sharp pain erupted within my skull. I twisted my neck to get a good look at my attacker. My mouth dropped.

It was the married man from the bar. What the hell? His hands grabbed mine and pinned them above my head while his feet widened my legs to prevent me from destroying his private parts like I did before.

"You shrew. Did you really think that you could do that to me and get away with it?" He whispered in my ear as he began to undo the ropes of my coat.

"Let me go." I shouted out as I struggled under his hold. He was strong.

I couldn't even scream, as I was sure that no one would hear me over the music that was playing in the club. Plus, my ego wouldn’t let me after I had cried for a man already that night. I was trapped and with no way out. My heart sank. I had been betrayed by my husband and here I was about to get raped by another man in a club. Could this night get any worse?

The man had already pulled the ropes apart and was now staring at my lingerie-clad body. He licked his lips and smirked, making me turn my head in disgust and shame.

"So that was what was under there? You naughty little girl." He mused before he cupped my left bosom in his free hand. I shuddered in disgust at his touch. He left my body and was about to go for his belt buckle when a voice rang out in the hallway.

"Stop."

The voice was deep and rash like he was pissed off and yet couldn't give a damn that they were about to rape someone in front of him. I twisted my head to see who had spoken up on my behalf. Dark gray eyes stared back at me, filled with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. 

The man who stood a way from us was considerably taller than me and my assailant and was definitely not on the slim side. He was huge. His long dark hair was tied back in a low ponytail and I could see some tattoos running up his arms from the semi-folded long sleeved suit shirt he wore. This man looked like trouble. Was he going to join in? It wasn’t unheard of that a woman was abused by two strangers in a public place. When I asked if the night couldn’t get any worse, I didn’t mean it in this way.

"Move on buddy. This one's mine." My assailant commanded the strange man, not wanting to share his prized catch.

The mystery man walked closer to us and grabbed my assailant's arm.

"What the hell?" He whispered before my supposed knight in shining armor growled at him.

"I said stop."

The married man let go of me and stumbled back, wanting to fight but reconsidering when he noticed how big the man was compared to him. With a grunt, the man walked off spewing curses under his breath. I touched my wrists and winced a bit before addressing the man who had saved me.

"Thank you for that." I whispered under my breath, my hands going to my coat to cover myself up.

The mystery man turned to me, the emotion in his eyes gone.

"Are you hurt?" He asked me, in that brutish voice of his.

"No, just tired." I replied earnestly, honestly just glad that the man showed up when he did. He eyed me for a second before speaking.

"I have a room that you can sleep in. It's already late for you to try and leave. Especially with what you're wearing. Plus, that idiot may still be lurking around." The man said, being straight forward.

"Don't worry. I won't be in the room with you. I'll get another one." He said as he noticed my wary expression towards his words.

"I guess so. Thanks." I replied after thinking about it. It was late, and the man did have a point. I was not in the mood to get assaulted again.

The mystery man that saved me turned to the door right beside me and opened the door. I realized that he might have been trying to get to his room before he noticed what had been happening and came to my aid. This was just a stroke of luck.

He gestured for me to go inside once he moved away from the door. I went into the room before he handed me the key card. With one last look, he turned to leave and for a moment I watched him walk away. I placed my hand on the door about to close it before I bit my lip, wanting to do something that I had never done before.

"Wait." I called out to him. He stopped in his tracks.

"Would you like to come inside?" I timidly asked with half a mind of being rejected by this man. Sure, he had just saved me, but that didn’t mean that he was interested in me.

"Are you sure?" He asked as he turned around to face me with those deep eyes, his head cocked as if amused that even after what I just went through I was willing to have another go with a different man.

I didn't bother giving him an answer, feeling my urges overwhelm me. I stepped outside the room and walked to where he stood. My hand went up to his stubbled chin as I pulled him down and kissed him.

For a second he made no move to return the kiss. I froze, sure that I had overstepped my boundaries. I was about to pull away and apologize profusely when he grabbed me by my waist and kissed me back passionately. His hands wandered to my things and lifted me off the ground. In four steps, he had carried me inside the room and kicked the door closed with his foot, giving us privacy.

He pulled away from the kiss and dropped me on the bed gently. I froze under his gaze, feeling self-conscious with the way his eyes roamed my covered body with ease. His hands went to his belt buckle but paused in doubt when he asked me a question.

"Are you sure about this?"

With a look of innocence and a nod, I loosened the coat from my body and threw it on the ground, giving the man permission to devour me. His eyes seemingly darkened and with one swift movement, he consumed me.