Ticket for Cheating novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The next afternoon, Nathan finally dragged himself home, looking exhausted.

The moment he saw me, he lit up like he always did-

Wrapping his arms around me, refusing to let go.

Before, I would’ve thought it was cute, convinced it was love.

Now I knew it was guilt.

“Babe, did you miss me?”

“My buddy’s been a mess since his breakup. He literally can’t sleep unless I’m there. I felt bad, so I stayed with him.”

“But I also felt bad for leaving you alone.”

“Kiss?”

Just as his lips-the ones Leila had been all over-were about to touch my face, I jerked away.

Instinct. Pure disgust.

Nathan froze. His face went pale.

“B-babe… what’s wrong?”

I took a deep breath.

“Nothing. I’m just getting a cold. Don’t want you to catch it.”

The word “cold” sent him into full panic mode.

He rushed over, guilt written all over his face, and hugged me again.

“Babe, I’m so sorry. This is my fault. I should’ve taken better care of you.”

“You’re sick, and I was out taking care of someone else.”

“I’m not going anywhere today. I’m staying home with you!”

And he did.

Nathan turned into the perfect husband-doting on me, anticipating my every need.

If I so much as sneezed, he’d freak out.

I watched him in the kitchen, making me tea for my “cold.” The afternoon light fell across his back.

For a moment, I let myself think-

If only he hadn’t cheated. If only he hadn’t lied.

11:17

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Chapter 3

We could’ve kept going.

But love, once cracked, never fits back the same way.

While he was making my tea, I saw him texting Leila.

Whatever she said made his face flush. Like he was already thinking about the next time.

After he thought I’d fallen asleep, he snuck out.

I grabbed my coat and followed him.

From a distance, I watched Leila jump into his arms. They kissed like they couldn’t get enough of each other.

What Nathan didn’t know?

I was recording everything.

I turned and walked away, hollow inside.

That’s when I finally decided.

I was done.

On the third day, it was his mother’s birthday.

Nathan wanted me to come celebrate with the family.

The second we walked in, Eleanor looked at me with pure disdain.

Even though I was holding an expensive gift, she couldn’t hide how much she hated me.

Nathan called out sweetly, “Hi, Mom.”

Her expression softened. A little.

Then Nathan’s sister Pamela walked in-with Leila.

“Big bro! Look who I brought!”

“Your driving instructor! You suck so bad at driving, you should really get on her good side. Maybe she’ll actually teach you something.”

Nathan’s eyes lit up the second he saw Leila.

The hunger in them was obvious.

Leila stared right back at him, her gaze burning.

Pamela grinned and pulled Leila over to Eleanor.

“Mom, don’t let the ‘driving instructor’ thing fool you.”

“Leila’s loaded. Owns like dozens of properties. She only teaches driving for fun.”

Eleahor’s face broke into a huge smile.

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“Wow! You’re so impressive! You’re so young and already so successful!”

“Not like some people who are just… traffic cops. No future.”

“How’s that supposed to help my son build a life.”

“Mom. Don’t talk about Xenia like that.”

Nathan always defended me in public.

“Everyone has their own path. What’s wrong with being a traffic cop?”

“If she hadn’t saved me that day, I’d be dead.”

Before Eleanor could fire back, Leila stepped in smoothly.

“Hello, Mrs. Hartley!”

“You look so young and beautiful! You look more like Nathan’s older sister.”

Eleanor beamed, completely charmed.

She kept piling food onto Leila’s plate, constantly pushing Nathan closer to her.

the past, I would’ve felt crushed.

now? I didn’t care anymore.

After dinner, Pamela grabbed my arm and insisted we go for a walk.

She’d always been cold to me.

This wasn’t going to be innocent.

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