Forgiving my Unforgivable Husband

lle

ating your anniversary with me tonight. I thought it wise to ask for permission. We'll be meeting at 7pm at Ridge Heights Hotel- My eyes widened at the message. Due to the impromptu loads of activities and household chores Mrs. Walker showered into our house today, I had missed this important day. Julian was nowhere to be found when I woke up. He probably doesn't care about today from the message I just received. He was going to have fun while I waited for him all day. Who is this message from? Is this another woman or Gwen? Several thoughts and questions run through my head. Tears welled up in my eyes but no, I wasn't going to sit down here vulnerable and weep. I want to find out by myself if Julian is indeed cheating on me because I can't take this pain anymore. With fury boiling within me,I wiped off my tears ,grabbed my bag ,before heading towards Ridge Heights Hotel. My footsteps quickened as I drew near to the hotel restaurant, my heart throbbing with nervous anticipation. I just wanted to confirm Julian was cheating on me and probably considered packing my bags like Mrs. Walker suggested. I was ready to tolerate every pain from Julian and even his mother but not cheating. I wouldn't let him rubbish and dishonor my three years of being faithful in this matrimony. "Excuse me, where is the Ridge Heights Hotel ?", I inquired from a passing stranger, the sense of urgency betraying my tone. "You are almost there. Just turn right there, ma'am!" she directed, pointing her hand to the next junction. Following her direction, I got to the hotel and froze with what unfolded before me. There Julian was, standing in front of the hotel. Standing next to him was Gwen, his ex-fiancee. They were involved in a conversation that seemed intense. To avoid being caught, I retreated behind the nearby wall and continued viewing the scene which was shattering my heart to pieces. Julian presented the blue box I chanced upon the night before to Gwen. Gwen's gestures, showing off her amazement and gladness as she accepted the box from Julian's hands. She hurriedly opened the box. Her eyes shone with excitement , allowing Julian to adorn it around her neck. My heart was struck by the truth which unfolded. I felt a sharp pain in my chest, my hand intuitively wobbling towards my chest, my fingers gripping my heart tightly. The necklace wasn't mine. It was for Gwen. Though I wanted to confirm whether Julian was cheating, I guess my sobbing heart was not ready for this. Unseen tears streamed down my face as they witnessed the scene. With a heavy heart and a defeated exhale, I turned away feeling like I have lost to Gwen. 'Giselle, were you expecting anything different? You've known all along that Julian's heart was for Gwen and Gwen alone." I began suffocating from all the tears I had shed as I broke down, taking a seat on the floor. My relationship with Julian began when I was nineteen. I was introduced to him through his sister Velma, who was my best friend in college. Velma and I attended Brillantmont University together. Due to distance and saving of money,I mostly spent my short vacations in their mansion, serving as a company to Velma and stealing glances at Julian whenever I could. Velma was a product of the extramarital affairs of Mr. Walker but she lost her mom in a miserable accident. A devastating shock arrived when I learned that Julian and Gwen were set to marry. At the same time, I was also in a forced relationship with Aaron, my ex-fiance. One faithful afternoon as I moved through the hallway of the court, where my pending marriage with Aaron was set to happen this weekend , my phone buzzed with calls, left and right. I knew it was my family members. They've been informed about my termination of the pending wedding with Aaron. As I descended down the stairs to the ground floor , I couldn't help but eavesdrop on a conversation between a father and his son which was echoing loud enough from a slightly opened door at the side of the staircase. With the voice sounding familiar, I moved to the slightly open door, peeping through it, I realized it was Mr. Walker. "This is all your fault! Gwen left because of your actions! What will we do now? We have investors and the media house waiting outside! This is embarrassing!", he harshly chastised Julian who stood there confused . "You will have to get married today! Get a replacement bride! I can't face my business partners empty-handed! Do something about this now!" his father commanded. After contemplating with myself a bit, I gathered up courage and opened the door, offering myself as a replacement bride