Chapter Three.

Richard had been in a rush to leave for the airport.

The ride home was quiet. He would adjust his tie, then the next minute look out the window.

“Could you turn up the AC?” He said to the driver.

I didn't give him much thought. I sat at the far end of the car gazing out the window.

It all made sense when we pulled up. In front of the house, and there was Sophie at the door, a sly smile on her lips.

My brows drew together. So this is why he had been so anxious. She was wearing the shortest dress.

“You didn't tell me it would be so soon.” I turned to Richard.

He placed his hands over his chin. “I am sorry; it was kind of urgent.”

I said nothing and just stepped out of the car as the driver carried my luggage out.

“Mr Richard,” Sophie ran to him immediately he got out.

My stomach twisted. The food I had eaten earlier was threatening to spill.

Richard's arms curled around her body.

The shock on my face was evident.

He realised what he had done and pulled back, glancing at me for a reaction.

“Oh, welcome, Miss Eleanor. You look exhausted,” Sophie said, like she had just only noticed my presence.

I didn't answer. Instead, I tilted my head and brushed past them.

In the room, I sat on the bed. My chest is heavy.

Richard has belittled me to the core.

The door flew open, and Richard walked in.

“Baby, you seem rather upset. “Sophie is just a business associate, and she would leave immediately; her house is free,” he said.

I glanced at him.

“It’s fine, Richard; I am really just exhausted. And would love some sleep. Could you stay beside me?”

“Anything for you, baby,” he replied.

He lay beside me and stroked my hair till I fell asleep. But when I had woken up sometime later, my hand grazed the empty space where he had been.

The cold sheets told me it hadn't been long since he left.

I sighed and slipped on my flip-flops, walking towards the direction of the garden.

I needed some fresh air, and the roses were the only things that stayed true no matter the season.

The empty night seemed to mock me and my loneliness.

I decided to head back to my room.

Then I heard it.

Deep moans.

It came from the guest room Sophie was in.

Pathetic, she couldn't even wait to get back to her house; she had to invite her boyfriend over.

I tiptoed quietly and stopped at the door. Peeking in through the space left slightly ajar.

My breath caught in my throat.

The familiar robe and the back of Richard stared at me.

I bit on my lower lip to stop myself from yelling till I could taste blood.

“Oh Sophie baby, I missed you so much, you can't even imagine.” Richard ground into her, his moans bouncing off the wall.

“Really? I couldn't stand the thought of you with that woman all the way in Paris, baby. It made me sick,” she whispered.

“You know it's I who love only you. No one else. And today when I saw you in that dress. I couldn't control myself. I had thought of a million things I could do for you,” Richard said.

“What if she sees us, Richard?” she asked.

“Who cares, Sophie? Besides, she can’t hear us, and she’s too oblivious of anything in this house.”

My chest tightened.

Sophie giggled, her red nails digging into his back. “Ugh, Richard. Faster. Ride me, baby.”

“You are going to kill me, Sophie, my girl. I will always treat you better than her. Even if I get married to her. She can never take your place, baby.”

I had seen enough. I clutched my stomach tightly, placing a hand over my mouth and walking hurriedly to my room, not caring if I made a sound.

The contents of my belly came pouring out as I slid the toilet seat open.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks. And suddenly I felt foolish for trusting him. I couldn't believe after all these years of being with Richard, this is what he paid me with.

He never loved me. I was just a tool to pass time. I was done with Richard.

I wiped my tears and walked to the little wine cellar in my room.

I my fingers lingered on the bottles for a second too long before taking one out.

It had been a long time since I drank, and that was because of Richard.

He had made me promise to stay off the bottle after I had been almost hit by a car coming back from the club.

But now, none of it mattered anymore.

I took a sip, then another, till I was slightly tipsy.

Then finally laid my head on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

I was stirred awake with Richard's arm curling around my waist. His chest rubbed against my back; a familiar scent wrapped around him.

Sophie’s perfume.

On my fiancé’s skin.