"I saw you, Nico. I saw you and Taylor. Last night. You spoke dirty to her as you got her off with your fingers. Then, as she spotted me, she kept her focus on me as you screwed her in that hallway."

---

My world shattered in an instant. One moment, I was lazily borrowing my husband's laptop; the next, I was reading his emails, discovering the fictional life he'd built with another woman—a life where I was the "dark cloud" he'd escaped. Driven by a sickening dread, I went to the bar and witnessed the brutal, physical truth of his betrayal.

I saw my husband screw his mistress in a bar alcove—and she stared straight at me while she came.

Coworkers pointed; I watched, frozen, as he took her bare against the wall.

I left his coat, and promised tomorrow.

That was the moment my love caught fire and burned to ash; I locked the door, changed the lock, and texted his sister: tell him to go to inferno.

Tomorrow would be divorce papers.

———————

Sarah

"God!" I shut my laptop lid on my now dead computer. I tap my nails on the floral cover not motivated to get up and walk into our laundry room and fetch my charger. "Bingo!" I celebrate with a fist in the air when my lazy hip spots my husband's laptop on our ottoman. I place my computer off to my left, toss my blanket to my right, and unfold my legs to stand. My mood improves even more when I open his computer and see a lovely green full battery. "Thank you, Honey!"

Nico is off at some bar with his friends tonight. I look at the time on his computer and see it is after eleven. I expected he'd be out late, but I am surprised that he isn't home yet. Sitting back down, criss-crossing my legs I put my blanket back around me, bunching the extra in between my legs for a makeshift table for the laptop. Nico and I have been married for three years now, together for almost five years. I met him when we were both twenty-four. He is a creature of habit and hasn't changed his password in that whole time. B33rbe4likher! I type the password only a young twenty something dude would have thought of, and I am in. I pull up his web browser and shaft my head to the side when I see it signed in already to yahoo. My eyes go to the upper right corner and see the old login, GrumpyBones. He still uses this, huh, odd. I hesitate for a moment with the curser over the blueish purple envelope and the number three next to it.

"I am being ridiculous. I bet he uses it as a spam account for when he signs up for discounts or accounts elsewhere." I whisper to the empty room, with not even myself listening. My heartrate speeds up as my finger hovers. "This is stupid. I read to many cheating troupe books." And withthat I lower my finger on the trackpad and open his emails.

The three unread are exactly what I expected to find. Ads for Bombas socks, which he ordered the other week, shafts Sporting Goods, and Bellesa. That last one makes me laugh. I know from my girlfriends talking about the site awhile back that it's a porn site, but it is supposedly geared towards woman. Our intercourse life is pretty good. I don't really have a complaint. I mean, I guess I wish sometimes it lasted longer. Start to finish we are done usually in five minutes. I usually excuse myself and get myself off with a vibrator in the bathroom. I brought it up with Nico before, that I need more to get off, but he just said, "It's not my fault you are so hot that I can't last." It was sweet, I guess, and he doesn't seem to mind that I finish myself off. So, it works for us but seeing he's checking out Bellesa, maybe he is looking for new things to try.

It isn't the unread emails that make me pause, but the read ones that fill the page because they are all from the same person, Taylor Williams. My breath leaves me as my hands begin to shake. Taylor works at the same company as Nico. I met her at their summer company party. It was a catered party at Oaks Park Amusement Park, a local thrill ride place that is for families. I remember scooping up some beans at the BBQ themed buffet when I first heard her voice.

"Nico, you didn't tell me you'd be here." She almost sounded like the purred the words. I remember freezing with the ladle for the beans in my hand but midair as I looked over my right shoulder and took in the stunning blonde. She was taller than me but that might have been due to the high wedged shoes she wore. She had yet to look at me, all her attention on my husband. She has a bright smile, and her right hand was stroking her skin under her collarbone. I slid my gaze to my husband who had fully turned to give her his full attention, with a smile on his face. It was genuine and it made my appetite disappear.

I placed the ladle down, turned towards them and cleared my throat. "Hello," I balance my place in my left hand and waved my right hand. "I am Sarah. Sarah Blake, Nico's wife. You are?" I tried to give a friendly smile, but I am not sure I succeeded.

Nico finally remembered that I was there. "God, yes, sorry, Hun. Taylor this is my wife, Sarah."

Taylor didn't look at me. She kept her focus on Nico as she spoke. "Yeah, she said that. Never knew you were married, Nico."

No one said anything right away. I stepped in to Nico and looked up at him. He is around six feet tall to my five six height. "Honey." Was all I said but it was enough to break whatever was going on.

"Yeah, I guess when we are talking billing my wife doesn't come up." Nico forces a laugh. Taylor studies him for a beat before finally turning to me. She tries to cover but I hear the gasp as she takes me in. Not sure what that implied I fidget.

"Sorry. Yeah, I guess you're right, it didn't come up. But hear you are. Amy, was it?"

One side of my lips quirks up in a smirk. What a childish game she is playing. "Sarah, actually. Taylor, was it? Are you new I've never heard you mentioned by either Nico, Mark, or Adam." Mark and Adam are who own the lobbyist firm that they all work for.

Taylors shoulders slump a bit, enough for me to notice though. "Yeah, I guess you'd say new, I started about five months ago. Well, I will let you guys' finish getting food, don't want everyone upset since you are holding up the line." And as quickly as she appeared she slithers away.

I wait till we sit down to bring up the odd encounter. I place my hand on Nico's thigh to get his attention. When he turns to me, I say, "That was odd, back there, with Taylor. Is there anything I need to be concerned over? I bite my upper lip as I wait for his reaction to my question.

He smiles; the smile he reserves just for me. "Hun, I swear I barely talk to her. I've only talked work with her and the fact that I'm married hasn't come up."

"Doesn't help you don't wear a ring." My eyebrows quirk up. It has never bothered me that he doesn't. He said he didn't like the feeling when typing and since he's on the computer all day, it made sense. He's brought up getting a tattoo, but it hasn't happened yet. This is the first time I wish that physical symbol was there.

"Hun, seriously. This isn't a thing so please don't make it one." He looks at me sincerely, so I lean into him and peck him.

"Okay. Sorry. Consider it dropped."

However, it doesn't seem dropped at all. That company party was seven months ago, and it looks like their emails to back to even before the company BBQ. Privacy and whatnot be freaking I click without hesitation on the most recent email from her, dated earlier today.

Nico,

Oh my gosh that sounds like so much fun. My weekend was kind of lame. Maybe next time you will ask me to join you. Don't know if I would climb but I give fabulous massages. I am glad you are finally getting out and having fun now that the dark cloud is gone. Looking forward to tonight, first drink is on me to celebrate!"

-T

I feel lost and numb. But my mind and heart are racing. What is she talking about. Our weekend was spent helping his brother move and dinner at him mom's house. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't call it fun. I scroll down to see what his email to her was.

T. I am so sore today. A buddy and I went down to southern Oregon and went rock climbing. God it was fun, but my arms are killing me today. But it was worth it. Definitely not something I could do when I was with Sarah. I barely got to see my friends and family when we were together. It is nice rediscovering things I like. Better get back to work but I will see you at the bar tonight with everyone.

-Nico

I don't even realize I am crying till the tears hit my hands that are still on keys of the laptop. What is he talking about. He goes out with his friends all the time. And we see his family more often than mine. And rock climbing? Since when does he want to do that. That whole thing is utter fiction. Screw this. I discard his laptop and my blanket off to the right as I quickly stand. I look in the round mirror hanging in our entry way as I open our shoe cabinet and take out some ballet flats. I'm wearing black leggings and an oversized green sweater that is hanging off one shoulder. I take out my hair tie and finger my waves that are left from getting ready this morning for work. My makeup is decent. I wipe under my eyes from crying and rub my cheeks. I turn around and grab my keys and purse hanging on the hook and am out the door.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know the bar Nico and his coworkers were going to tonight. I never even asked who was going, not that he would have told me the truth. I just assumed it was his friends and him blowing off some stress. Work has been crazy for him lately. I scan quickly and while I don't spot Nico, I see some of the guys I expected to be there and walk towards them. I don't miss the looks they all give each other before looking at me. I don't have time for nonsense.

"Just tell me where he is, please just be honest." I look each of them in the eye, while I shake off my coat and throw it over one of the vacant stools.

They look at each other again but Brian, a guy that started at the same time Nico did points down the hallway where I know the bathrooms are. I can see the apology in his eyes. But he didn't go anything to me.

I would love to say I have some hope that I am going to look like an irrational fool. But hope is back in our apartment wondering if I should open his email or not. I see a guy leaving the guys restroom and ask if anyone else was in there. He says no. I check the woman's restroom, but it is empty, and I start to wonder if Brian was wrong, and they left. But then I hear it.

It's a funny feeling to physically feel the end of a relationship. To feel the inside of you change. The love you had to catch fire and burn till it suffocates from lack of oxygen. It no longer can thrive, the love you had is no longer.

I moved past the bathrooms in the dark hallway and come upon a small alcove. It looks to be where staff hang up their coats and all the oddities of the bar are stashed. I am sure they thought it provided them some semblance of privacy. But it doesn't. I can see them. Nico's back is to me, but I know my husband. His brown hair buzzed on the sides but longer and wavy on top. I know it is him. I've run my hands threw that hair countless times. But even if I hadn't, I know it's them because of her. Her I can see. Taylor is in the corner; her blonde hair pulled over one shoulder. My husband's lips on the other side pecking down her neck. Her legs are further apart than proper making her skirt ride up. I can hear them, not perfectly but enough to know what is going on.

"God T! I can't. I can't wait to have you till we are back at your place. I bet if I slide my hand under this hot little skirt and moved your panties to the side, I'd find you drenched for me, wouldn't I?" Nico asks her. He's never talked to me that way. God, I've begged for some dirty talk, but he made me feel like I was being inappropriate in asking. I can't hear her response, but it doesn't matter because I can see it on her face. The euphoria displayed all over her.

I hide in the shadows and watch as my husband does exactly as he spoke of. His head goes back as a slow, "fffuuuccckkk" slithers out of his mouth. He is in a fitted black t-shirt, and I see his muscles in his arm work as he gets her off.

I'm frozen. I should scream. I should lunge for him. God, I should storm out. But I can't move, and that is when Taylor spots me. I see the recognition on her face. There is no gasp in horror at being caught. Her blue eyes locked on me. She freaking smirks.

Her arms slide down from his shoulders and move to the front of him. "Nico, you always make me feel so good. I can't wait to feel you inside me. I need you now." Her left leg slides up as I see his pants slack. And as I stand there with my eviscerated heart, my husband screws his mistress, with me watching. And she is loving every moment.

"God, you are so freaking wet" He chuckles. "I think you like the chance of being caught."

She looks me dead in the eyes as she says, "You have no idea. Now screw me like you never can her, because I am your everything."

"Your mouth. I can't get enough."

But I finally have. I turn and the first tear falls. I refused to let her see that they broke me. I make it back to their coworkers, who I now realize had an idea of what was going on. "Do me a favor. Tell Nico to go to inferno and he shouldn't bother coming home."

I don't even know if any of them said anything. As soon as I exit the bar my tears mix with the rain falling. God. I forgot my coat. There is zero chance of me walking back into that place. I pull out my phone as I start to walk back to our apartment.

"Hello, this is Sarah Blake. I live in 14D. I need an immediate change on my front door lock. I don't care the charge for an emergency. That's perfect. I will meet you there. Yes. Thank you."

For once I appreciate the twenty-four-hour maintenance service our building supplies. I thought it was ridiculous when we were looking at places. But Nico can't even chance a lightbulb and insisted he wanted the option.

By the time my drenched self, drips all over the entrance to our building the maintenance guy is leaning against the security desk. Both men turn and with wide eyes take me in. I am sure I look abhorrent, but I don't care.

"Uhhh." The maintenance guy looks down at his tablet. "Mrs. Blake?"

I don't know if they see me flinch at my own name. It makes me want to vomit to be called that. I clear my throat before speaking and give what I hope is a pleasant smile. "That's me. Shall we get this over with. Oh, and Sully, when Mr. Blake arrives, please don't mention this, and he isn't to be given the extra key, please." That last part my voice breaks, and I see Sully's shoulders drop. He knows. All residence has a spare key kept locked up in case they are locked out. I have no right legally to ask them to keep Nico from getting into our apartment. But I am hoping my kindness towards Sully buys me some good will.

"Don't you worry at all." He hesitates. "Sarah." I've asked Sully for as long as we've lived here to call me Sarah, but he insisted on the formality. His kindness now makes more tears fall. My shoes squish as I walk with the maintenance guy following behind me. Twenty minutes later I am safely locked in my apartment I have no idea if Nico will even try to come home, but now I know without a doubt I don't have to see his lying cheating face tonight.

I want my mom. I am almost twenty-nine years old, and I desperately want my mom. It's late but I know if I called, she'd answer. She puts her phone on do not disturb at night, but I know she has it set up for her kids to ring through. My hand shakes as I look at my phone debating if I should as the knob shakes at my front door. What do you know my soon to be ex is here.

Nico

I keep telling myself I'm going to stop. That the thrill I get with Taylor isn't enough to sacrifice all I have with Sarah. Taylor wasn't even supposed to come tonight. But she did. I promised myself nothing would happen but by my third beer and her hand rubbing higher and higher up my leg till she started tracing the outline of my shaft all my promises were forgotten. She got down from her stool and announced that she was heading to the back. Not to the bathroom, just heading to the back. We've messed around back there before. There is this small area that is pretty hidden. But hiding doesn't matter to Taylor.

I watch her go back and my left leg starts to bounce as I debate following her. God, what does one more time matter when compared to all months this has been going on. This will be the last.

"I'll be back." I mutter to the guys. Brian calls after me. He knows. He laid into me when things first started with Taylor and me. He was on his way to my office when he saw her walk out. As he entered, I was zipping up. He kept asking if I was insane that I had the perfect wife. He kept saying everything about Sarah that is amazing. Like I don't already know. I know I struck gold with my wife. Our intercourse life is a little vanilla but honestly that's more on me. She tries to spice things up, but I just can't with her. She's Sarah. You don't screw someone like Sarah in the hallways of a bar. Now Taylor you do. And that is exactly what I end up doing.

After I finished, I step back and help Taylor right herself. She has this triumphant look on her face that unsettles me. Something about it make me uneasy. Once we are both situated, we walk back to our table.

Brian looks at me with disgust. "You are a freaking idiot."

"What the heck is your problem?" I ask as I pick up my beer that is still on the table. I tilt my head back and take a sip. As I set my beer back down, I see the camel coat on my stool. The camel coat I bought Sarah when she got her job. I had seen her eye it a couple times, but she thought it was silly when she had a perfectly fine coat. But the camel one looked nicer. I wanted her to have nice things. I swallow down the bile rising.

I look to Brian, and I don't even need to ask because it is all over his face. Sarah, my Sarah was here.

Taylor steps into me and runs her hand up and down my back. "It's better that she knows."

My gaze flicks to her and I search her face.

She blows out a breath and hitches up one shoulder. "She saw us. I saw her. She knows." She can feel me tense and tries to comfort me, but I push her off of me. "Nico!" She stammers.

But I don't say anything to her. I grab Sarah's coat and ignore her yelling my name."