I was lounging on the beach with my husband when a woman approached, dropped to her knees before him, and cried out his name. When I discovered who she truly was, I was utterly stunned.
We were celebrating our wedding anniversary by the shore, the world suspended in golden blissuntil she appeared.
A woman in a pale swimsuit emerged from the tide, strode toward us, and, breath ragged, sank to the sand before my husband. Her voice trembled as if she were fighting back tears. My mind racedwho was she, and why did she look at him like that? I never imagined this moment would unravel everything I thought I knew about us.
“Stop pretending you dont know me,” she said sharply.
I froze. My husband turned to me slowly, his eyes clouded with something I couldnt placeguilt, fear, or silent pleading. My stomach twisted. I had been about to tell him I was pregnant. Now, I wasnt sure he deserved to know.
He stepped toward her. I stepped back.
Then she spoke, and my blood turned to ice.
“Liam,” her voice cracked, “you promised youd come back once you sorted things out. I waited all these years.”
My heart plummeted.
“What years?” My own voice sounded distant.
He exhaled sharply, gaze dropping as if bracing himself.
“Evelyn its a long story,” he murmured.
I moved closer, but an invisible wall stood between us.
“A long story?” My throat tightened. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
The woman rose, her eyes meeting minepity and triumph swirling there.
“He was my husband long before he was yours,” she said. “And we have a son.”
The words hit harder than any slap.
Waves crashed, the sun dipped low, and I stood there, knowing my life had just split into before and after. Liam reached for my handI pulled away. Whatever he said next wouldnt matter. The safety Id felt with him was gone.
Love your women, cherish themnever betray them. Theyre tender, kind creatures who deserve nothing less.
