Lena thought she had it all-a loving husband and a picture-perfect life. Devoting herself to their marriage, she put her heart into being the ideal partner. But when Jackson betrays her in the most unforgivable way, her perfect world shatters. With her trust broken and her heart hardened, Lena vows to seek revenge, even if it means walking down a path she never imagined. Her quest for closure draws the attention of Caleb, a man whose kindness hides a life of untold secrets. Though Lena resists his attempts to break through her defenses, Caleb's genuine care and quiet strength awaken something she thought she'd lost forever. Now, Lena must decide: will she let go of the pain Jackson inflicted and embrace the love Caleb offers, or will her past rob her of the happiness she's always longed for?
Chapter 1 1
Lena twisted the wedding band around her finger, the cold metal digging into her skin. The room smelled of fresh roses, their vibrant red petals scattered across the kitchen counter, remnants of Jackson's half-hearted attempt to apologize. The hollow ache in her chest hadn't diminished, no matter how many nights she'd spent trying to convince herself otherwise. She glanced at the untouched glass of wine on the table, her appetite for it, like everything else in her life, gone.
The sound of Jackson's laughter drifted in from the hallway. It grated against her nerves, a stark reminder of the charm he wielded so effortlessly. For years, she had been blinded by it, swept away by the illusion of a love she thought was indestructible. The voice on the phone call she had overheard three nights ago shattered that illusion. The honeyed words he whispered to someone else played on a loop in her mind, each syllable a dagger.
The door creaked open, and Jackson stepped inside, his tie loosened and his hair slightly disheveled. He exuded the effortless charisma that had once made her fall for him. "Hey, sweetheart," he said, leaning against the doorway.
She didn't respond.
"You've been quiet lately," he continued, walking over to the counter. "Everything okay?"
Lena stared at him, the words stuck in her throat. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the weight of her own disbelief kept her silent. It wasn't until he reached for the wineglass that she found her voice.
"Who is she?"
Jackson froze, his hand hovering above the glass. For a fleeting moment, his expression wavered, the mask slipping. "What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Lena said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. "The phone call. The late nights. The lies."
He straightened, his charm replaced by something colder. "Lena, don't do this. You're overthinking things."
Her fingers curled into fists. "Overthinking? I heard you, Jackson. I heard everything. Don't you dare try to make me feel crazy."
Jackson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. You want the truth? Things between us haven't been the same for a while. I needed...something different."
The air left her lungs. She had imagined every possible excuse, every lie he could conjure, but hearing the blunt truth was worse. "Something different?" Her voice cracked, the pain leaking through. "I gave you everything, and you-"
"It's not that simple," he interrupted, his tone growing defensive. "I never meant for you to find out like this."
"That's your excuse? You didn't mean for me to find out?"
Jackson's silence spoke louder than any apology ever could.
The weight of his betrayal pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. "I trusted you," she whispered. "I built my life around you."
He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Maybe that's the problem, Lena. You put everything into this marriage, but you forgot about yourself."
The words cut deeper than she thought possible. She stood there, stunned, as Jackson grabbed his coat and walked toward the door.
"I'll give you some space," he said, not bothering to look back. "We can talk when you've calmed down."
The door closed behind him with a resounding click, leaving Lena alone in the suffocating silence.
Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the kitchen floor, her head resting against the cabinet. Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't let them fall. Crying wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't erase the lies or mend the fractures in her heart.
Somewhere deep inside, a spark ignited. It wasn't forgiveness or hope-it was anger. She had spent years molding herself into the perfect wife, sacrificing her dreams to support Jackson's ambitions. And this was her reward.
The roses on the counter mocked her, their vibrant beauty a stark contrast to the mess her life had become. She stood, grabbing the vase and hurling it across the room. Glass shattered against the wall, the sound strangely satisfying.
She needed to leave. Staying in the house they had built together felt suffocating, each room a reminder of the life she had lost. Grabbing her coat, she stepped into the chilly night, the cool air biting at her skin.
The streets of the small town were quiet, the shops closed and the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement. Her feet carried her without direction, her mind too clouded to care where she ended up.
She found herself at the edge of the park, the distant sound of the river calling to her. The bench by the water had always been her refuge, a place where she could think without interruption. Tonight, it felt like the only place that made sense.
Sitting down, she let the silence envelop her. The water shimmered under the moonlight, its gentle flow a stark contrast to the chaos in her chest.
"Rough night?"
The voice startled her. She turned to see a man standing a few feet away, his hands shoved into the pockets of a worn leather jacket. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and his sharp features were softened by an expression of quiet concern.
"Sorry," he said, taking a step back. "I didn't mean to intrude. You just looked...lost."
Lena wiped at her eyes, realizing too late that her cheeks were damp. "I'm fine," she said, her voice hollow.
The man nodded but didn't leave. "Sometimes talking to a stranger helps."
She studied him, unsure of why she didn't tell him to go. There was something disarming about him, something that made her feel oddly safe. "What makes you think I want to talk?"
He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just a hunch. But I can leave if you want."
For a moment, she considered letting him walk away. Instead, she surprised herself. "It's my husband," she said, the words tasting bitter. "He cheated on me."
The man's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, letting out a bitter laugh. "Don't be. I should've seen it coming."
"No one deserves that," he said, his voice firm. "Especially not someone who cares enough to sit out here thinking about it instead of burning his clothes."
The corner of her mouth twitched despite herself. "Who says I'm not planning that next?"
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Fair enough. I'm Caleb, by the way."
"Lena," she replied, her voice softer than before.
"Nice to meet you, Lena," he said, taking a seat on the bench beside her. "Even if the circumstances aren't great."
Lena felt a sliver of relief. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind her that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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