A blonde woman sat on Tom’s lap, her arm draped over his shoulder as she sat crosleged over his Lap, their faces close enough to touch.

  My chest tightened, my legs felt like jelly, and for a second I couldn’t breathe.

  Tom stood up abruptly, pushing her gently aside.

  My voice quivered. “What's the meaning of this, Tom?”

  Tom's brows quivered; he pointed a finger in my direction. “You, what are you doing here? Haven't I warned you to not come here uninvited?”

  “Who is this Tom?” the lady asked.

  I glanced at her — and recognised her instantly.

  I couldn't mistake her for anything.

  Lisa, Tom’s first love.

  My heart dropped.

  “Sadly, she's my wife, Lisa,” Tom said, his fingers curled tightly by his side.

  My heart finally shattered into a million pieces.

  “Sadly?”

  He turned to the secretary. “I told you not to allow anybody in.”

  “Sir, I tried to stop her, but…”

  “Get out,” he commanded.

  She turned around sharply and walked out.

  “You didn't tell me you had a wife, Tom,” Lisa said, from behind me.

  “I didn't think it… important.”

  Tears ran down my cheeks. My legs threatened to give way.

  I spun around and walked out of the office, taking the stairs two at a time.

  I felt the piercing gazes as I half ran through the lobby on the ground floor, but I didn't care.

  The air felt too contaminated to breathe.

  I walked fast towards my car.

  “Selene!” Tom called from behind me.

  I didn't stop.

  I stopped at the car and fidgeted with the door handle.

  He held my wrist and spun me around.

  “You are overreacting, Selene,” he muttered.

  “Overreacting?” I jerked my hand away. My chest pounded. “You bring your first love to the office hours after getting a devastating report while I was at home struggling to make your favourite meal?”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, okay, Lisa’s really sick, and she needs someone at her lowest. I am only helping.”

  I stared at him. For a moment I wanted to believe him. I wanted him to wrap me in his arms and take me inside and tell me he just wanted to surprise me for our anniversary. 

  “By bringing her to your office to warm you up, Tom? What does her being sick have to do with your infidelity?” I sobbed. The words hung in my throat.”

  “Look, now isn't the right time to talk about this. We would meet at home.” He walked past me and opened the door. “Go and freshen up, Selene.”

  I stood, gazing at him. This wasn't the Tom I had married on the pulpit that day.

  I steadied myself and walked into the car.

  He shut the door and waited. Till I drove out of the premises.

  I never looked back.

  I knew there was trouble when I overheard his sister's excited voice when she spoke to Marilyn, Tom's mother, about Lisa coming back a few weeks back.

  “I am so excited, Mother. Aren't you Tom?” She nudged Tom at the dinner table.

  Tom had pretended not to care, but I caught the curve of his lips before he rolled the pasta into his mouth.

  She had left without a trace after Tom had an accident a few years ago.

  The diagnosis was that he wouldn't walk again. But he did.

  Tom was heartbroken; he claimed he would never love again.

  A rumour sufficed that he wasn’t interested in women. That wasn't a good reputation for his father's company.

  Our marriage was a form of damage control.

  I wailed. Tears blurred my vision as I drove.

  All my years of dedication thrown down the drain.

  I couldn't go home. I couldn't let Amira see me this way.

  I drove to Sophie's house. My best friend for the longest time.

  As I stepped down from the car, she opened the door and walked out.

  “Sophie,” I called out in between sobs, unable to stand without wobbling.

  She ran to me, pulling me into a hug. “What's wrong, Selene?”

  I tried to speak, but the tears wouldn't let me.

  “Let’s go inside,” Sophie said.

  She guided me in carefully. We sat on the sofa while she stroked my hair.

  I buried my face in her shoulder, taking in her scent. My body trembled.

  Slowly, the tears wavered.

  She pulled me back and wiped at my eyes.

  “Here is a tissue.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “What’s going on, Selene?”

  I snorted, “It's Tom.”

  She drew back, venom on her lips. “That man – what did he do this time?”

  “I caught him, Sophie, with Lisa. They were making out.” Tears spilt out again.

  She got up angrily. “What! How dare he? That's a piece of shit.”

  “Oh Sophie, I am so heartbroken.”

  She scrunched her face like I had said the most irritating thing ever. “Heartbroken Selene? You should be angry. You should be done with that man. You have endured a lot.”

  “I know, but what about Amira? She needs a father,” I muttered.

  “She doesn't need a father, Selene. She has you. I am here too, and that's more than enough.”

  “But…” I began.

  “There is no but, Selene. You need a divorce.”

  My head snapped. It was the first time we had said the word out loud.

  “Mmhm,” she nodded.

  I sank deeper into the sofa, my hands clutching the edge of the cushion. Sophie’s words echoed in my ears. Divorce…

  I thought of Amira, of all the years I had given to Tom, of every time I had swallowed my pride to keep our fragile peace. My chest tightened. Could I really let go?

  I wiped at my tears; my fingers trembled.

  I closed my eyes and exhaled shakily. “Maybe… maybe it’s time,” I whispered.

  But even as the words left my lips, I felt doubtful. Was I ready? Could I survive letting him go?

  The memory of Amira earlier today asking for a hug from Tom and him shunning her made my fingers dig into my palms.

  I wasn't going to let him dictate my life in this way anymore. I just couldn't.

Amira’s birthday party.

 I stood at the far end of the hall, glancing at Tom. Lisa stood beside him.

 She threw her head back, running her palm over his arm, laughing at something Tom's business associate said.

 My fingers tightened around the glass of wine in my hand.

 The nerve of him to invite his mistress over for our child's sixth birthday party.

 “Mum, my friends said they love my party.”

 I turned around. My heart melted at the sight of Amira wearing a cute tiara and the cutest pink dress, all flushed from excitement.

 I crouched and kissed her forehead. “I love you too, my cutie pootidu.”

 “Muah,” she mouthed.

 I took her hand and walked towards Sophie's direction.

 She was seated at the table talking to Amira’s hot pianist. Smiling like a damn Cheshire cat.

 “Could you help me watch Amira for a second, please?” I asked. “I need to use the restroom.”

 She opened her arms, a wide smile on her lips.  “Come here, birthday princess.”

 Amira released my grip and jumped on Sophie's lap.

 I smiled. “What would I do without you, Sophie?”

 She giggled. “Absolutely nothing, Selene.”

 I made my way to the guest restroom.

 I really wasn't pressed, but staying in the same room as Tom and his mistress made my stomach churn.

 I needed a breather.

 I placed my hand underneath the tap as the water ran out, then dabbed at my face with a little water.

The restroom door creaked.  I felt the hairs on my neck prickle. Someone walked in.

 Lisa.

 Her red dress hugged her in the tightest way possible.

 She leaned forward, filling the doorway with her presence.

 My chest tightened.

 “You look rather stressed, Selene.”

 I glared at her.

 She shut the door behind her and walked towards me. Her heels clicked as she came closer.

 “I love Amira honestly; she's such a happy soul.”

 I swallowed. “You have no right to talk about my daughter.”

 She chuckled. “It's a pity though; you can't even give Tom another child, talk more of a son.”

 I froze, my knees threatening to give way. My fingers dug into the edge of the sink.

 “Why are you here, Lisa?”

 She smiled, exposing a set of white teeth. “Well, to give Tom what you couldn't after all these years. Isn't it obvious?”

 I jolted, turning to face her. She stood a few inches taller than me.

 “You think you can replace me, Lisa? You think you can just show up and become a part of Tom’s life just like that? He loves us and…”

 “Oh please, Selene,” she spat, “I have perceived you as so many things, but not delusional. It's obvious Tom never loved you.”

 She walked around me and turned on the tap behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

 “I am the one he's ever truly loved. Don't you see? All I have to do is make one call. And the life as you know it goes poof.”

 She snapped her fingers, “and he comes crawling back into my arms.”

 My lips quivered. “I won't let you destroy my family.”

 “You look like you might cry, Selene. I should leave; we don't want to cause a scene.” She walked towards the door.

 “Oops, I almost forgot,” she said, stopping in her tracks. “I wanted to show you this cute picture of Tom and me from last week”

 My breath caught—last week, when he told me he was on a business trip and ignored my calls…

 My feet stayed glued to the floor. I couldn't move.

 “Look!” She hovered her phone over my face.

 She wore a red dress; they stood at a rooftop, his hand placed at her lower back. Smiling back at her in a way he had never smiled at me before.

 It felt like I might faint. I gasped for air.

 “You see? He chose me over you.”

 “Get out!” I managed to say.

 Her phone rang, Tom's name sprawled on the screen.

 She gasped mockingly, “You see? He's calling. He misses me.”

 “Get out! Now!”

 She grinned. “Bye, Selene.”

 She catwalked out and shut the door behind her.

 I collapsed on the floor.The room spun around me, the walls seemed to close in from every corner, my heart hammered so loud I could hear it over the music outside.

 My tears blurred the room.  I felt like someone had ripped a piece of my heart and tossed it into the air.

 I whispered to the empty room, “How did it come to this?”

 You need to get yourself together, Selene.

 Today is Amira's day. That vile woman cannot ruin it.

 My hands shook as I tried to push myself up. I washed my face with the running water and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

 This wasn't the young, vibrant Selene who wanted to take on the world and be the best-selling author. She had changed. A shadow of her dreams.

 I put on a smile, squared my shoulders, and wiped at my face.

 At the door, I placed my hand on the doorknob and exhaled before pushing it open.

 The hot air and loud music washed over my face, causing me to gasp for air.

 I made my way back to the party. My heart hammered in my chest.

 At the table, I poured myself a glass of wine. My eyes scanned to room flashing a fake smile where necessary. 

 “You haven’t changed one bit, Selene.” a voice said from behind.

 My spine stiffened.

 That voice.

 It sounded too familiar. Like the name that called out to me when we were just kids.

 The voice that had mentioned he loved me time and time again.

 I spun around.

 He stood a few inches from me; a dimpled smile played across his lips.

 My mouth dropped.

 “Rowland?”

 “Hello, Selene.”

Selene's POV.

I took a step back, placing my hands on the counter for support. My head spun.

He stepped forward. Alarm was written all over his face.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine," I managed to say.

Was this really Rowland? He stood a few inches taller than me, and his brown curly hair had been trimmed perfectly. He wore an expensive suit, and the scent of his perfume filled the air.

I straightened, glancing around instinctively.

Tom's sister, Melanie, hovered over Lisa, giggling as she showed her something in it. Tom was nowhere in sight.

I swallowed. My voice shook.

"What are you doing here, Rowland?"

He exhaled, "Look, Selene, I know how crazy this all looks, showing up out of nowhere, but..."

"Rowland. I don't have time for this. Why are you here?"

His brows raised. "I came back for you, Selene."

My chest tightened. His eyes pierced into mine; I looked away.

"I don't want to see you, Rowland. I am married now."

His expression dropped, like he had been slapped across the face.

"I heard Selene; I didn't believe it. I wanted to confirm it myself."

"Mummy, we have been waiting for you. Sophie said we are about to cut the cake."

I hadn't noticed Amira walking towards me. She tugged at my gown from beneath, holding on to a white teddy.

Rowland turned to her. He stared at her for so long I feared he might recognise his features on her.

My chest pounded.

I bent down. Taking her hands in mine, trying to steady my trembling hands. "I would be there soon. I am a little busy right now, honey. You all can cut it without me. Leave a slice for me."

"Okay, Mummy, don't take too long." I watched her walk off. Her dress swayed as she walked.

"Is she your child, Selene?"

"That doesn't matter, Rowland; I really want you to leave."

I glanced sideways. My eyes locked with Tom's from farther across the room.

My chest heaved.

"I understand now is not a good time. Can I at least get your number to call later?" He pushed his phone in my direction.

I glanced at Tom. He looked at me from the corner of his eye.

"Please, Rowland."

His fingers curled. "I won't leave until I can reach you again, Selene."

Tom excused the man he was speaking with and walked towards me.

"Okay, just leave, please." I snatched it from him and dialled in my digits.

Tom stopped beside me and slid his hand behind my lower back. Flashing a smile.

"Is there a problem, honey?" He tightened an arm around me and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on my cheek.

I flinched underneath his touch. "No, Tom. This is my friend from high school. He was about to leave."

I glared at Rowland.

Rowland extended his arm. "You must be Selene's husband. Mr..."

He shook his hand. "Tom,"

"Ahh, yes. I have heard a lot about you," Rowland said.

My chest pounded. The room seemed to suffocate me. Rowland had no idea what he had done.

He gazed at me. "Really? I know my wife was fond of me, but not... this well."

I faked a smile.

Rowland clasped his hands together. "I was actually leaving, Mr Tom. What a lovely part this is. Goodbye, sir."

He turned to me.

"Goodbye, Selene."

He walked away while I stood reluctantly frozen in place beside Tom. He waited till Tom was out of sight, then his hands dropped.

His jaw tightened.

"Who was that, and who invited him?"

I stepped away from him and reached for the glass from earlier.

"I told you, Tom, a friend."

"Friends don't look at each other the way he did. Do you think I am a fool?"

The wine swayed in the cup as it shook. My voice sounded more confident than I felt.

"Believe what you want to, Tom. I am not like you."

He grabbed my wrist so tight I yelped in pain.

"Tom!" Lisa called to him. "Come quickly, you have to see this."

"I will be there soon, Lisa."

"Now Tom, please," she pouted.

He released his grip on me and lowered his head to my ear.

"This isn't over, Selene," he whispered and walked away.

I exhaled. My fingers trembled so violently that the glass slipped from my fingers.

The glass hit the ground; its contents spilt over and its pieces laid in shambles on the ground. 

I rubbed the area of my wrist that ached. 

A guest's head snapped in my direction.

"Are you okay, Selene?" Debbie, a good friend I made when I joined the reading club.

"Oh, nothing," I managed to say. "The glass must have slipped."

"Oh, okay." She stared at me like she didn't quite believe me and turned to face her phone again.

"Could you clean this up, please?" I asked the staff member holding a tray as she walked past me.

"Yes, ma'am."

I stepped over the mess and scanned the room looking for Amira.

I spotted her with Sophie. They had cut the cake, and she was shoving a large chunk into her mouth.

I smiled; she looked happy.

I tilted my chin and walked in on the chaos.

"Where is my slice, honey?" Don't tell me you didn't keep one for Mummy."

Her hands flew into the air. She pointed at a large chunk of cake. "That's for the best Mummy in the whole wide world."

A knot formed in my throat.

Rowland's appearance threatened to shake the safe space I had created for Amira and me. I wasn't going to let that happen.

If the truth ever came out, I couldn't imagine what would happen.

I sit beside Sophie. She leaned in.

"Just look at him. He's so shameless, Selene. How do you manage?"

I didn't want to look, but I managed a quick glance.

Lisa leaned in so close that her cleavage popped out, and it looked like she might kiss Tom.

Sophie squeezed my hand, but I didn't look away.

Lisa's fingers curled over her lips as she whispered something in Tom's ear.

His jaw tightened.

He turned and looked straight at me.

He didn't look angry, just suspicious.

My spine stiffened.