“You should’ve seen this coming the first time you strayed
“I’ve given you so many chances, but you’ve just broken me down.”
As I spoke, all the years of pain and betrayal played in my mind.
For six years, I caught him cheating over and over again. I loved him back then, so I put up with it.
I finally saw how wrong I was to let his wayward behavior slide.
If people did not learn from their mistakes, they would just double down.
“I’m sorry.”
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
His eyes were bloodshot from crying.
“It was supposed to be just once, but I got in too deep. I knew I was wrong, but whenever you gave me the cold shoulder, I’d run back to Holly.
“I’ve realized the error of my ways. I swear I’ll never betray you again. Can you please forgive me? I can’t bear to lose you.”
“John, it’s not about needing you. You used to see me as a worthless homemaker, but now that I’ve got my own career and can take care of myself, you suddenly love me and want me back.”
I stared at him, nothing but disappointment in my heart.
He cradled his head and wept bitterly.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. I’m the worst.
“If I could turn back time, I’d treat you right.”
“If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t marry you again.” With that, I walked away.
Before I did, I threw one last sentence over my shoulder.
“If you die, don’t expect me to make your funeral arrangements.”
After that day, John would not stop sending flowers to my place.
He even shelled out big bucks for my paintings.
He even sent meals my way, day after day.
Back in the day, I faithfully brought John his lunch every day, only to watch him chuck it into the trash right in front of his coworkers. He had complained about my cooking every single time.
Now, it was my turn. In front of an audience of random onlookers, I tossed his cooking into the bin and told him it was gross.
John’s face twisted into a grimace, a mix of shame and humiliation washing over him.
“John, does it embarrass you? Me throwing out your food in front of all these people?
“It should,” I say. “That’s exactly how you made me feel. Now you know what it’s like.”
He just stood there, head down and speechless.
Then, I stumbled upon this video online.
It was of Holly going after John, claiming he was not taking responsibility for the baby she was carrying. However, John was ready–he slammed a stack of photos in her face, all showing her with some other guy. It turned out John could not have kids, so the baby was definitely not his.
Holly tried to bolt, but John’s anger exploded. He slapped her hard, hissing, “You’re the reason my wife left me.”
Holly’s mask fell away as she snapped back, “You’re the one who came to me, yet now you’re pointing fingers?”
They scuffled, but Holly was no match for John. He pinned her down and started to kick her. She did not just lose the baby–she lost her life.
The cops hauled John away.
What went around came around, did it not?
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Chapter 9
+25 BONUS
The day of my divorce hearing from John finally arrived. He was there, looking like life had chewed him up and spat him out. He confessed to his cheating ways and did not fight the divorce.
I walked away free and with every last penny to my name, all thanks to his mistakes.
He was led back to jail to pay the price for what he did to Holly.
Before he left, he shouted with tears in his eyes, “Yasmin, I know I’ve messed up big time. I totally ruined my shot at a great life.
“If life gives me another shot, I promise I’ll do right by you. I won’t mess up again.”
It was funny how people only felt sorry after they screwed up.
However, sorry was about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
I did not give him the time of day. I just walked away and hopped into Hank’s car.
Today was the day I was leaving for overseas.
The school was on my case to get a move on, so I could not drag my feet.
I left it to Hank to deal with selling my place back home.
A year went by with John doing his time.
I ended up becoming a well–known art teacher, earning respect far and wide.
During a talk, someone popped the question: how did I make it to where I was today?
I gave him a small smile and said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“If you stick to your guns and believe you’re unstoppable, you’ll make it to wherever you want to be.”
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