The car's hum filled the silence as I glanced at Theo in the rearview mirror. My heart swelled, watching his tiny chest rise and fall in deep, sleep. His soccer jersey was still streaked with dirt, his face smudged with triumph. They'd won the big game, and I couldn't have been prouder.
The GPS said twenty more minutes to home, and I let my mind drift. Today wasn't just about Theo's victory; it was also my anniversary. Ten years. A milestone, right?
We now have it all. I thought about our house, the one I'd worked so hard to afford. A spacious two-story in a good neighborhood, with a big backyard where Theo could play soccer or chase butterflies. It had been my dream to give him a life better than the one I'd grown up with.
I grew up in a cramped, run-down cabin at the edge of a small town with my older brother Luke and our grandparents. I dont remember my parents but I used to hope and dream that they never really died and would come and get us one day. Not that I did not love my grandparents I still love and miss them to this day. But it was a hard life growing up with them. Money was always tight, and every dollar seemed to vanish as quickly as it came.
College wasn't something people in my family aspired to, but I had dreams. I worked two jobs, studied late into the night, and clawed my way through law school. When I became a mother I knew I wanted to give my son everything I missed out on. So when I bought the house, it felt like a trophy—a symbol of everything I'd overcome.
But Greg hated it he called it "too suburban," grumbling about the neighbors and complaining about how it wasn't conducive to his "creative process." I brushed off his complaints back then, telling myself he'd adjust. After all, I was providing a life of comfort and stability, wasn't I? It was what was best for Theo.
The phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. Luke's name flashed on the screen.
I tapped the speaker button to answer. "Hey, Luke."
"Hey, sis," he replied. "Have you got me on speakerphone?"
"Yeah, I'm driving."
"No worries," he said. "Just calling to check on Theo. How'd the game go?"
"He was amazing," I gushed, smiling. "They won. Theo even scored a goal."
"Atta boy," Luke said, his pride evident in his voice. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Wait, why are you driving now? Isn't it a bit late?"
I hesitated before answering. "I wanted to get home early. Surprise Greg for our anniversary."
"Aren't you supposed to be heading back tomorrow?"
"I changed my mind," I said, my voice softening. "I'm hoping to surprise him, remind him what today is. I almost forgot myself but I thought you know, be a little romantic and spontaneous."
Luke made a noise, somewhere between a scoff and a sigh. "When was the last time Greg even remembered your anniversary?"
"Last year," I said quickly, too quickly.
Luke snorted. "He didn't even get you a card, Anna. You spent the day at the office, and he went off to...what was it? 'Research'?"
"Luke—"
"No, listen," he cut in. "You've been making excuses for that guy for years. He's not a writer; he's a leech. When was the last time he did anything for you? For Theo? He couldn't even attend his son's championship game!"
I gripped the steering wheel, my smile fading. "Greg is just...passionate about his work. He's under a lot of pressure."
"You're the one under pressure," Luke shot back. "You've been holding up that marriage like it's Atlas's world. What about you? Don't you deserve someone who shows up for you and Theo?"
My chest tightened. Luke wasn't wrong, but admitting that felt too much like defeat. "I just want tonight to be special," I murmured.
Luke sighed, softer this time. "You deserve more than special, Anna. You deserve real."
"We're working on things. Once he gets his book published, things will be different."
"And when will that happen?" he asked.
"Soon," I said defensively. "Meghan has been helping him get in with all the right connections, in front of important people. Apparently, he's close to signing the deal of the century."
Luke's snicker was sharp. "Yeah, right."
"I'm pulling up to the house," I said abruptly, eager to end the conversation. "I'll call you later."
"Alright," he replied. "Love you, Anna."
"Love you too."
We hung up just as I pulled into the driveway. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel proud again. This house was proof of my hard work and resilience. I'd built a life here for Theo.
The house was dark except for the bedroom light upstairs. I frowned. Greg must be working late again.
I slipped Theo out of his car seat and carried him to the couch, tucking a blanket around him. Then I crept up the stairs, hoping to catch Greg in one of his rare unguarded moments. Maybe tonight could still be salvaged.
Halfway up, I heard a muffled laugh. A woman's laugh.
My stomach dropped.
I moved silently, my instincts kicking in. The bedroom door was ajar, and through the gap, I saw them. Greg. Meghan in our bed naked!
I froze, the scene before me burning into my brain. This must have been going on for months! I seethed to myself. No wonder why he never touched me anymore especially in recent months there had been absolutely zero affection.
My hand fumbled for my phone, the camera app trembling under my thumb as I hit record. I would need this later for when he tried to deny it. I had been suspecting things were off I just did not have the proof. How stupid was I to think me turning up tonight would be a pleasant surprise.
Greg's voice cut through the air interrupting my thoughts, "Here, I got you something special to thank you for all the help you have been getting my book signed." Greg said, his voice low and dripping with fake charm as he handed Meghan a small, elegantly wrapped box.
She gasped, sitting up straighter. "Is this for me?" she asked, her voice sickeningly sweet, as if she were an innocent schoolgirl and not the woman sleeping with her best friend's husband.
"Of course, it's for you," Greg replied, grinning. "Only the best for my girl."
My stomach churned my thoughts wild as Meghan eagerly unwrapped the box, revealing a glittering diamond tennis bracelet. She held it up to the light, the stones catching the glow of the bedside lamp.
"Greg," she cooed, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist, "this must have cost a fortune! How did you manage to buy something like this without Anna noticing?"
Greg laughed softly, shaking his head. "Anna doesn't pay attention to what I spend. She's too busy playing the perfect career woman and mother to notice little things like our finances." He smirked, his confidence oozing. "I pulled the money out in cash so it wouldn't show up on the bank statements. No paper trail, no questions."
Meghan giggled, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. "You're so smart, baby," she purred. "She always acts so smart but you are the smart one. "
I gripped my phone tighter, the recording still going.
Then Greg's voice cut through me like a knife mocking, cruel. "She thinks she's so smart and perfect, Miss Lawyer, always bossy deciding every step we take like living here in this pathetic suburb just to get away from her pathetic past. But you know what no matter how much money she makes she will always be a low life hillbilly."
Meghan giggled, her hands threading through his hair. "So why not just end it ages ago?"
"She just made it so damn easy," Greg sneered. "Pays the bills, looks after Theo, cleans the house, puts dinner on the table. Why would I give that up? I needed the time to dedicate to writing if I had to get a job how could I write my book?"
He leaned closer to her, his voice dropping. "But if you say you want me to give it up, I will."
Meghan's voice turned syrupy. "I want you all to myself, nobody can please me like you can."
Greg chuckled low, his hands sliding to her waist. "Oh yea? well guess what Daddy's hungry again."
Meghan giggled even louder "Daddy is always hungry" she purred as she spread her legs wide for him to get full access between her legs.
She started to groan as my husband pleasured her with his tongue. Something he told me real men don't do.
Rage boiled over me. That was enough!
I shoved the door open, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. "I hope your enjoying your meal Greg"
The room went still. Meghan scrambled to cover herself, her face a mask of shock. Greg just looked back without a flicker of emotion almost as though he was annoyed I had interrupted his feast.
"Anna, I—" Meghan stammered, her hands clutching the bed sheet.
"Save it," I snapped, my voice shaking with fury. "Godmother to my son, huh? Best friend?" I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cold. "You're a home wrecker, Meghan. A pathetic, spineless home wrecking whore!"
And you I seethed turning at Greg "You want out, Greg? Congratulations. You're free."
"Now, wait a minute," Greg interjected, lounging against the headboard like he didn't have a care in the world. "You're overreacting."
"Overreacting?" I hissed, my rage boiling over. I snatched the wedding photo off the dresser and hurled it at him. The glass shattered, shards raining down on the bed.
Greg didn't flinch. Instead, he laughed. Actually laughed. "You're such a drama queen." He turned to Meghan "See what I mean."
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "You disgust me," I spat, turning on my heel.
I stormed downstairs, my heart pounding as I scooped Theo off the couch. His sleepy murmur broke my heart. "Mommy?"
"It's okay, baby," I whispered, holding him close. "We're leaving."
I strapped Theo into the car just as Greg came running out, for a brief moment, I thought maybe he would try to stop me from leaving
"Anna!" he bellowed I need the key to the shed!"
As I turned his bare feet slipped on the wet porch and he slid down the porch stairs all the way down on his ass. He quickly scrambled up.
If I wasn't so heartbroken, I would have laughed. Instead, I flung my entire set of keys at him, the metal clattering on the pavement.
He lunged for them but missed, his legs flying out from under him as he landed flat on his back with a loud thud.
For a brief, absurd moment, I almost smiled. "See you in court," I said coldly, slamming the car door shut.
Greg shouted something, but I didn't hear it over the roaring of my car engine in my ears.
I didn't look back.