"Why didn't you close the door?" she blurted out, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Both Benjamin and Sara jumped apart, their eyes wide with shock. Benjamin's face was a mixture of guilt and confusion, while Sara looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"Mary! I—" Benjamin stammered, his cheeks flushing as he scrambled to compose himself.
"What the hell is going on?" Mary demanded, her heart racing as betrayal washed over her.
Sara glanced between them, her expression shifting from surprise to guilt. "Mary, I can explain—"
"Explain what? That you've been having an affair with my fiancé?" Mary's Voice trembled with hurt.
"No! It's not like that!" Benjamin interjected, stepping forward as if to bridge the widening gap between them. "We were just—"
"Just what?" Mary spat, her voice rising in pitch. "Just having a moment? I thought you were supporting me tonight! How could you do this?"
"This was a mistake!" Benjamin exclaimed, his voice strained. "I didn't mean for you to find out like this."
"Then how were you planning to tell me? After the party? When are we supposed to be celebrating?" Mary'sheart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.
Sara looked desperate, her eyes pleading. "Mary, I swear I didn't mean for this to happen. It just… happened."
The words felt like a slap in the face. "Just happened? You're supposed to be my best friend!" Mary shouted, her voice cracking.
"I know! I know!" Sara replied, tears welling in her eyes. "But Benjamin and I… we've been talking a lot, and it just—"
"Stop!" Mary interrupted, raising her hand as if to ward off the pain. "I don't want to hear any more excuses."
The tension in the room thickened, and Benjamin's expression turned desperate. "Mary, please. You have to believe me. It didn't mean anything. It was just a moment of weakness."
"Moments of weakness don't happen when you're engaged to someone else!" Mary shot back, her anger boiling over. "You've betrayed me in the worst possible way."
Benjamin's face fell, and he looked as if he might crumble under the weight of his guilt. "I'm sorry. I truly am. I love you, Mary. I didn't mean to hurt you."
The words felt empty to her, and as Mary turned her back on him, a wave of grief washed over her. "You need to figure out what you want, Benjamin. I can't be part of this twisted mess anymore."
She stormed out of the room, leaving them behind as her heart ached with betrayal. The laughter and chatter of the party felt distant, her world narrowing to the sting of tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't comprehend how everything had unraveled so quickly.
"Mary!" She heard Benjamin call after her, but she didn't stop. She rushed back to the ballroom, desperate to escape the suffocating reality of her own life.
As she reentered the room, the party continued around her, the music now a haunting backdrop to her turmoil. Mary spotted her mother-in-law across the room, her expression unreadable but a flicker of satisfaction glinted in her eyes. It was as if she had been waiting for this moment to unfold.
Feeling utterly alone, Mary searched for a familiar face, anyone who could provide a sense of comfort. But all she found were the smiling faces of people oblivious to her pain, unaware of the storm brewing within her.
"Mary!" The voice was familiar, and she turned to see Asher approaching, concern etched across his features. "What's wrong?"
"Everything," she whispered, the weight of the night crashing down on her. "I thought I had it all figured out, but it was all a lie."
"What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowed as he stepped closer.
"Benjamin… and Sara. They were… together. I caught them," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher's expression darkened. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe they would do that to you."
"Neither can I." The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over, and Asher reached out, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I just wanted this night to be a celebration, but it turned into a nightmare."
Asher held her tightly, the warmth of his body offering a solace she desperately needed. "You deserve better, Mary. You deserve someone who will fight for you, not betray you."
"I thought Benjamin was that person," she admitted, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
"Sometimes, people show their true colors when you least expect it," he said gently. "But I'm here for you. You're not alone in this."
As Mary leaned into him, the warmth of his embrace brought a flicker of comfort amidst her heartbreak. But as the night wore on, she knew that things had irrevocably changed, and the path ahead was clouded with uncertainty. The celebration that had started as a triumphant moment for Logan Construction had turned into a painful reminder of betrayal, and she had to find a way to reclaim her life.
As the music played on, the laughter continued, and the party raged, Mary realized that her journey was just beginning.
The morning sun streamed through the large windows of Mary's Bedroom, casting soft beams of light that danced across the room. She blinked awake, feeling an unsettling emptiness surrounding her. The remnants of the previous night—the party, the betrayal, the shock—still echoed in her mind. As she rolled over to glance at the empty space beside her, a wave of loneliness washed over her.
Benjamin had always been there, filling her life with laughter and love—or so she had thought. Now, that love felt like a distant memory, replaced by the cold reality of betrayal. With a heavy sigh, Mary pushed herself out of bed and dressed in a simple blouse and tailored trousers, opting for comfort over style. She felt like a ghost of her former self, and each movement was mechanical, as if her body was merely following a routine without her heart in it.
As she made her way down the staircase, the silence of the house enveloped her. It was eerie, each creak of the floorboards amplifying the loneliness that seemed to seep into the very walls. Mary poured herself a cup of coffee, but the rich aroma that once brought her joy now tasted bitter, a reminder of the emptiness she felt.
After a few moments of staring into her cup, she steeled herself for the day ahead. She needed to focus on work; it had always been her refuge. If she could immerse herself in her responsibilities, perhaps she could escape the haunting thoughts of betrayal and heartache.
The drive to Logan Construction was subdued, the usually vibrant cityscape appearing dull and lifeless. As she parked her car and stepped into the office, she was greeted by the hustle and bustle of her employees. The familiar sounds of ringing phones, chattering voices, and clicking keyboards provided a temporary distraction, pulling her from the depths of her despair.
"Good morning, Mary!" one of her colleagues chirped, flashing her a bright smile.
"Morning," she replied, forcing a smile in return, though her heart felt heavy.
Mary made her way to her office, the door closing behind her as she settled into her chair. The weight of her thoughts pressed down on her as she flipped through paperwork, trying to maintain focus. The ticking clock on the wall felt deafening in its insistence, reminding her that time continued to move forward, whether she was ready or not.
Just as she began to lose herself in numbers and reports, there was a soft knock on her door. A courier stood at the entrance, a white envelope in his hand. "Delivery for you, Ms. Loven," he said, his expression professional yet slightly curious.
"Thank you," Mary replied, taking the envelope without a second thought. She watched as he left, her heart racing with an inexplicable sense of dread.
Sitting back at her desk, she stared at the envelope, the stark white paper contrasting sharply with the dark wood of her desk. With hesitant fingers, she opened it and pulled out the letter.
The elegant script was unmistakable. It was Benjamin's handwriting.
Dear Mary,
I never intended for things to end up this way. It's hard for me to express how I feel, but I have to be honest with you. I'm not in love with you anymore. I've realized that my heart belongs to someone else Sara. She's carrying our child, and I want to be there for them.
I know this is painful, but I can't keep pretending. I'm sorry.
I wish you all the best.
Sincerely, Benjamin.
Mary felt the room spin as the words sank in. Her breath caught in her throat, and the letter slipped from her fingers, fluttering to the ground. "No… no…" she whispered, disbelief washing over her.
She scrambled to gather her thoughts, but it felt impossible. The world around her blurred as the reality of Benjamin's betrayal crashed down on her like a tidal wave. He had chosen Sara, her best friend, over her. He had not only taken her heart but shattered it into countless pieces.
Trembling, she reached for the letter again, her mind racing. A child? They were having a child together? The thought twisted in her gut like a knife.
As if the universe wanted to add insult to injury, she noticed another piece of paper sticking out of the envelope. With shaking hands, she pulled it out and realized it was a divorce decree.
Her vision blurred with tears as she read through the document, the finality of it sinking deeper than she could have imagined. The words "irreconcilable differences" echoed in her mind, each letter a reminder of the love she had thought was unbreakable.
"Mary!" A voice broke through her haze, and she looked up to see her assistant, Emily, rushing into her office, concern etched across her features. "Are you okay? You look pale."
"No," Mary whispered, the weight of her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I can't… I can't do this."
Before Emily could respond, the world began to spin, the edges of her vision darkening. Mary gasped for air, her heart racing as panic set in. She stumbled to her feet, trying to regain her balance, but it felt like the ground was shifting beneath her.
"Mary!" Emily exclaimed, her voice laced with fear as she rushed forward, reaching out to steady her. But it was too late. The room closed in around her, and the last thing she remembered was collapsing into Emily's arms.