I let out a faint, mocking laugh. Beneath the covers, my hands clenched into fists so tight my nails dug into my palms. It was the only way to suppress the overwhelming urge to confront him.
However, it was not the right. It was not enough. If I exposed him now I would be too easy for him. I wanted Austin to suffer, to fall into despair. I wanted him to spend every single day of his remaining life consumed by regret and haunted by these memories.
“Of course, baby. We’ve been together for so long. You know how much I love you, don’t you?” he said.
It was so hilarious. The man could profess his love for me while there was another woman lying underneath him. Was this his idea of love?
I didn’t respond. I simply leaned back against the couch and quietly observed the two of them. Apparently, my presence added to their thrill. That was because just minutes later, they were done.
Ruby rested in Austin's arm. Her eyes filled with love and her fair neck was adorned with a trail of crimson marks. Among the hickeys, a striking blue agate necklace caught my eye.
It was the same necklace that was specially custom-made for me by Austin. He told me that it was one of the kind. It was a unique necklace that could match the unique Sally.
However, now, that one of a kind” piece dangled on someone else’s neck, just like his feelings for me. The faithfulness that he once had for me had gone.
Under Austin’s firm warning, Ruby reluctantly retreated upstairs. He then sat beside me and pulled me into his arms from behind.
"Why are you so quiet, Baby?" Austin asked. "Are you feeling unwell? Or just upset? Tell me, your husband, won’t you?"
I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with him.
Noticing how sharp my gaze was, for a fleeting moment, I caught panic flashing in his eyes. He then waved a hand in front of me, testing my reaction. When I remained motionless, he sighed in relief.
"If one day I left you, what would you do?" I asked softly.
Panic gripped him again. He seized my hand tightly, his palm damp with sweat.
"Why are you asking this? Did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me?" he asked. “Don’t think like that, okay? I can’t live without you ...."
The panic in his voice, the unease in his expression and the worry in his eyes seemed genuine. However, I had seen with my own eyes that he and Ruby had sex in front of me. Was it really that hard to stay loyal to someone you love?