Five Years, A Beautiful Placeholder

ight was our fifth wedding anniversary, and I wanted everything to be perfect. I ran a hand over my slightly rounded belly, a s

al occasion. His briefcase was on the floor next to his desk, slightly ajar. A sleek, unfamiliar phone peek

recognized. Sophia Chen. He' d introduced her as the sister of a business partner, someone sweet and vulnerable who needed

, not wanting to be caught snooping. I ducked behind the large leather armchair, my b

se. "No, Ava doesn't suspect a thing. She's probably in

my throat. His words

ituation here is just temporary. Remember what we have is real, legally binding. In that state, only death c

ve-year lie. The memories flooded my mind, a sickening montage of his deception. I remembered the day he introduced me to Sophia, her eyes wide and innocent, her hand clinging to his

ve. Happy Anniversary. You are my everything." The words were acid, burning through the last of my illusions. I stared at his message, then at the

had sworn to love and cherish me, to build a future with me. We had talked about children, about growing old together. I looked down at my be

wn on his face. "Have you seen my other phone, Ava?" he called out. I stayed silent behind the chair, my body r

You've been quiet." I heard him walk out, his footsteps fading as he went toward the kitchen.

ophia got out. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply, a passionate, possessive kiss that I had once believed was mine alone. He opene

I didn't make it. I collapsed onto the cold tile floor, the world going black as a sharp, cramping pain tore through m