When the Heart Dies

Grandma lay bedridden, her dementia taking hold as she repeated Scarlett Hayes's name over and over.

Tears streamed down my face as I dialed my wife's number.

When she picked up, Scarlett sounded irritated. She said she was working late tonight and would call me back when she was free.

I could clearly hear the sound of a man's laughter in the background. The moment I hung up, Grandma gasped sharply.

She called out my wife's name. It was her last breath.

While I sat drowning in grief, Scarlett's male best friend Chase Morrison posted a video update, geotagged at a couples' hotel.

In the video, their fingers were laced together. The woman's arm bore a distinctive black mole I recognized instantly.

The caption read: "When two hearts become one, why care what anyone else thinks?"

In that moment, my heart turned to ash. I gritted my teeth and left a comment.

"Let's file for divorce tomorrow. Then you two can be together openly and legally. You'll even save on the hotel fees. Win-win, right?"

I handled Grandma's funeral arrangements alone, then came home and sat in the living room all night.

That night, I thought everything through.

It was not until the following evening that Scarlett came through the door. She froze for a moment when she saw me in the living room.

"Ron, why aren't you sleeping? Why are you sitting out here?"

My face remained calm, my tone stiff. "Couldn't sleep."

"Don't tell me you can't sleep without me here."

Scarlett sat down beside me, her long, pale legs crossing over and pressing against mine. I noticed the black stockings from yesterday were gone.

She rested her head on my shoulder. "You're a grown man and you can't sleep when your wife's not around? How embarrassing would that sound if anyone found out?"

The moment she opened her mouth, the stench of alcohol mixed with cigarette smoke hit me. It was nauseating.

I frowned and stood up, moving to the other couch.

Scarlett looked taken aback. "Honey, what's wrong with you?"

I let out a cold laugh. "You were gone all day and night. Where were you?"

"Entertaining a client. You know how it is. This client is from out of town and I was exhausted from just rushing over there.

"The black stockings I wore yesterday were of such cheap quality that they tore. You should buy me better ones next time."

Scarlett pulled two gifts from her bag, apparently trying to prove she was not lying.

"These are gifts I got for you and Grandma while I was out of town. I rushed back to the office during the day. You have no idea how busy I've been."

Her meaning was clear. Despite being so busy, she still remembered me and Grandma.

Two gifts. One was a men's watch in a style I recognized immediately. Chase had posted on social media before about wanting one.

The gift meant for Grandma was an ivory pendant.

In all our years of marriage, she had never bought Grandma a single gift. This time felt like it had been prepared in advance.

I glanced at them both, then tossed them directly into the trash.

Scarlett shot to her feet and stamped her foot in anger. "Honey, what's the meaning of this?"

I stared directly into her eyes. "That's Chase Morrison's favorite watch. What happened? He didn't want it?"

"Don't you dare accuse me of anything! This was meant for you."

"We've been married seven years. When have I ever worn a watch?"

My expression turned mocking, my gaze ice cold. "Just tell me the truth. Where were you entertaining clients last night?"

Her expression turned guilty and she started stumbling over her words. "At a restaurant, of course."

"A restaurant or a hotel? You reek of alcohol and are covered in the scent of Chase's cigarettes. Do you think I don’t have a nose?

"And those stockings weren't really torn, were they?"

I rose abruptly, my tone heavy. "Scarlett, let's file for divorce tomorrow morning."

My words struck like a thunderbolt and terrified Scarlett. "Ron, have you lost your mind? You want to divorce me?"

My expression remained blank. "Since you've already given your heart to someone else, divorce would be good for you. You and Chase make a lovely couple. I wish you both all the happiness in the world."

"Ron, how many times do I have to say this? Chase and I are just close friends. Why are you reading so much into this?"

Scarlett seemed to grow bolder and her voice rose considerably.