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 realized who she truly was, I was utterly stunned.
We were celebrating our wedding anniversary by the seaside, the world seeming to pause in perfect happinessuntil she appeared.
A woman in a pale swimsuit emerged from the edge of the waves, strode toward us, and, breathless, sank to the sand before my husband. Her voice trembled as though she was fighting back tears.
A thought flickered through my mindwho was she, and why was she staring at him like that? I couldnt have imagined this moment would unravel secrets that would shatter everything I knew about our marriage.
My thoughts tangled.
“Stop pretending you dont know me,” she said sharply.
I froze. My husband turned slowly toward me, his gaze unreadablewas it guilt? Fear? A silent, desperate plea?
Everything inside me twisted. Id been about to tell him I was pregnant. Now I wasnt sure he even 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 to me once everything was settled. I waited all these years.”
My heart plummeted.
“What years?” I asked, my own voice strange to me.
My husband exhaled sharply, dropping his gaze as if gathering strength.
“Ava its a long story,” he murmured.
I moved toward him, but an invisible wall rose between us.
“A long story?” My throat clenched. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
The woman stood, brushing sand from her knees, and looked at meher eyes full of pity and triumph.
“He was my husband long before he was yours,” she said. “And we have a son.”
The words struck harder than any slap.
The waves roared, the sun dipped toward the horizon, and I stood there, realizing my life had just split into before and after.
Liam reached for my hand. I pulled away.
Whatever he said next would never restore the safety Id once felt beside him.
Love your women, and never betray themthey are gentle, kind creatures.
