Who Exposed My Husband's Affair? The Super Bowl novel Chapter 2

After that night, Grayson and I stopped talking.

Jsually if I ignored him for more than three hours, he’d come crawling back, apologizing.

Not this time.

During this rare long weekend, he started coming home later and later. Leaving earlier and earlier.

Intil our son tugged on my shirt, looking up at me with worried eyes.

Mommy… does Daddy not want me anymore? Why don’t I ever see him?”

eeing my son’s face about to crumble broke something in me. I realized things couldn’t keep going like this.

‘d thought about divorce.

lut after all these years together, how could I just walk away? Especially with our son.

decided to try one more time. Really talk to him.

called Grayson, forcing my voice to stay steady.

Do you… want braised short ribs tonight? I’ll make them for you.”

he best peace offering I could come up with.

ilence on the other end. Long enough I thought he’d say no.

Sure. I’ll come home early.”

started to relax.

hen I heard it–a bright, excited girl’s voice through the phone. “Grayson! Come on! Let’s do the next ride!”

Sounded like Chloe.

My heart clenched. I opened my mouth to ask, but he’d already hung up.

I told myself not to overthink it. Maybe he just ran into her.

But the clock in our living room kept ticking. By 8 PM, he still wasn’t home.

The entire dinner had gone cold. My calls went straight to voicemail.

Then my phone buzzed. Friend request.

The message: “Want to know where your husband really is?”

Something made ine accept

The second i did, my phone exploited with photos and videos.

First few were selfies of Grayson and Chloe at Six Flags, looking way too cozy.

In one, he was giving her a piggyback ride. Both of them grinning at the camera like some couple in love.

ity head was ringing.

‘d begged him so many times to take me to an amusement park..

He always brushed me off. Said only kids went to places like that. Childish.

Even when our son pulled on his pants, begging, he wouldn’t budge.

Next was a family photo.

Grayson, Chloe, her mom, and my dad–all sitting around a dinner table at some upscale steakhouse, smiling like one big happy amily.

Chloe was leaning against Grayson’s shoulder. Her mom was serving him steak with this warm smile.

You’d think they were the actual family.

“‘d spent years asking him–begging him–for a family photo of the three of us.

He always said the same thing. “What’s the point? Waste of time.”

Then came screenshots of his Instagram.

He’d been posting constantly these past few days. Every single post documenting his “adventures” with Chloe.

Every single one hidden from me.

The last one was a video.

Fireworks exploding behind them at the park, lighting up the night sky.

Chloe looked up at him, eyes shining. “Grayson… if Sutton wasn’t in the picture, would you have chosen me?”

My heart stopped. I couldn’t breathe.

I waited for his answer like a prisoner waiting for sentencing.

The fireworks were almost over when he finally spoke..

Quiet, but every word hit me like a punch.

“I don’t know.”

“Sutton’s not exciting like you. She’s like… plain water. I need her, but after a while, she just feels… bland.”

“So Im ronfused, Chloe

I remembered the third time he proposed. His eyes had been so full of love.

He’d said, “You’re the only one I want. No one else. Just you.”

But now? He was confused.

The video ended. Chloe’s new messages started flooding in.

Pathetic. Even the last person who loved you doesn’t want you anymore.”

You’ll end up with nothing. Leave already.”

I gave you so many chances to figure it out. Took you forever. You’re scary stupid.”

She wasn’t done twisting the knife.

“Oh, forgot to mention–we’ve been together for three years. Thanks for that postpartum depression of yours. Really gave me an opening.”

My eyes went wide.

Three years ago, I’d just had our son. Postpartum depression had destroyed me.

Back then, Grayson rushed home from the office every single day to be with me.

Held me

Held me. Kept telling me gently that everything would be okay.

When would he have had time to cheat?

“You think he was actually with you? All those times he said he was working late? He was with me.”

“Every night on his way home, he’d stop by to see me for half an hour. He said it was the most relaxed he felt all day.”

She sent an audio file, clearly proud of herself.

My hands shook as I pressed play.

Grayson’s voice. I’d know it anywhere.

“She cried again. All she does is cry. That sound makes me sick. I want to tape her mouth shut.”

“I’m so tired of it. I want to get out of there. I can’t stand looking at her miserable face.”

“If it wasn’t for our son…“.

I couldn’t hear the rest.

Pain ripped through my chest. I gasped for air, struggling to breathe.

I couldn’t believe it

The man who held me through my darkest days. Who whispered encouragement. Who made me feel safe.

He’d been disgusted by me the whole time.

“Mommy, why are you crying?”

My son’s small voice cut through everything, full of worry.

I tried to say I was fine, but my throat was too tight.

He stood on his tiptoes, clumsily wiping my tears with his little hands.

Copying what I always did for him, his voice small and sweet. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. I’m here, Mommy. Don’t cry.”

I couldn’t hold it together anymore. I pulled him into my arms.

The tears I’d been holding back all night finally broke free.

After I finished crying, I called my friend–a divorce lawyer.

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