Lorraine rushed inside, calling out, “Stephen?”
The spacious apartment covered over two thousand square feet–elegantly furnished but utterly still. She walked through the living room but found
one. The bedroom showed the sanse absence.
“This can’t be right. We shouldn’t be espassing,” Lorraine said, already turning toward the exit. “We need to leave,”
Sheila caught her arm. “See the loafers by the door? Didn’t you save for two months to buy those for Stephen?”
Lorraine’s gaze snapped to the shoes. In her panic, she’d completely overlooked them.
The shoes confirmed they were in the right place, yet the silence made no ser
sense.
“You heard anything?” Sheila whispered, pulling Lorraine toward the frosted balcony doors. A strange rustling came from outside. “Is that him?”
With an encouraging push from Sheila, Lorraine slid the door open. “Stophen-“Her voice caught as the scene before her froze the words in her throat.
Lorraine’s stomach dropped. Her eyes burned with the sting of betrayal, yet she couldn’t tear them away. Every fiber of her being screamed to undo this moment, to never have opened that door.
There stood her husband, missing for two days, completely exposed. And beneath him was another man. The scene made her brain short–circuit
Stephen froze completely naked but too stunned to care. “Lorraine? His voice broke, raw with shock.
The other man, named Kevin, rose with deliberate calm, pulling clothes from a nearby chair to cover them both. Then he draped himself against Stephen with practiced ease. “Well… the cat’s out of the bag now. I guess we’re done hiding”
A sour taste filled Lorraine’s mouth. Her lips trembled as the color drained from her face. “But you… you said he was just a friend.” The memory like a punch–she’d met Kevin before the wedding.
ther
Kevin tossed his long hair back with a smirk, “Friends? Hardly. We’re lovers. Well, more like very intimate partners. He’s married now, but I just couldn’t let him go. So I’ve been keeping him company these last few days. You don’t mind, do you?”
Lorraine’s gaze locked onto Stephen, her eyes razor–sharp. This can’t be happening. My kind, thoughtful husband… is gay? The words echoed in her mind like a gunshot.
“Lorraine!” Stephen suddenly snapped out of his daze and lunged forward, clutching her desperately. His eyes burned with panic. “Please, I’m begging you. Don’t tell anyone. No one can know about this, please!”
Lorraine almost laughed at how easily he gave in, but hot tears were already spilling down her cheeks.
She struggled to pull away, but her body wouldn’t respond. Her legs gave out, muscles limp. An icy grip clenched around her heart, leaving only empty
shock.
She trembled violently, fingers and toes numb. All those caring moments, sleepless nights, and all that love now just felt like some horrible trick. The realization left her completely drained.
“Get your hands off her, Stephen!” Sheila finally snapped out of her daze and lunged forward, knocking his arm away. “Are you blind? Look how pale she ist
As Lorraine’s legs gave way, Sheila grabbed her “I’ve got you,” she whispered, holding her close: “Let’s get out of here.”
Everything spun as black spots filled Lorraine’s sight
Chapter 14
