Secret Affair

Chapter Three

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She woke up early the next day and noticed that he was still sleeping next to her on the bed. Part of her wondered if everything she had seen was just a dream; there was no way her beloved husband could betray her like this. Yet another part of her acknowledged that it all made sense now. The signs she had tried to ignore were suddenly clear and right in front of her.

After finishing her shower and completing her usual morning routine, she quietly left her home. She made her way to a nearby café, where her older sister, Rosaline, was already waiting for her. Rosaline wore black sweatpants and a simple white shirt, with two coffee cups set at the table. She felt grateful for such a thoughtful sister.

She had texted her sister the night before, saying she wanted to discuss something important, but she wasn't sure how to break the news. She knew that once Rosaline found out, all hell would break loose. However, she had another plan in mind and wanted Rosaline's approval, of course. Taking a seat, she decided to be straightforward and get right to the point.

Juliette: sigh "I know you're going to freak out, but just hear me out before you say anything."

Rosaline: concerned "Juliette... what did you do?"

Juliette: "I didn't do anything—yet. But I found out. He's cheating."

Rosaline: "What?!" pauses "How do you know?"

Juliette: "I saw his texts. I didn't confront him. I didn't throw a fit. Nothing."

Rosaline: "You're telling me you've known and you're just sitting on this?"

Juliette: rolling her eyes "I'm not stupid. If I blow up, I lose control. I'm playing the long game."

Rosaline: "The long game? Juliette, this isn't a game. He betrayed you!"

Juliette: "Exactly. And that's why I'm not giving him the satisfaction of a fight. I'm not going to be that angry, devastated wife he expects. He thinks he's getting away with it."

Rosaline: "So what, you're just going to pretend everything's fine? That's not you."

Juliette: "I'm not pretending. I'm waiting. He's going to trip up eventually, and when he does, I'll be ready."

Rosaline: "Ready for what? This isn't a soap opera, Juliette. You can't just sit back and plot revenge like this is some... movie."

Juliette: "I'm not plotting revenge. I'm just... letting him hang himself. If he thinks I don't know, he'll get sloppy. And when the time is right, I'll handle it."

Rosaline: confused  "Handle it? How?"

Juliette: "I don't know yet. But it'll be on my terms."

Rosaline: "Juliette, this is dangerous. You don't know what he's capable of. People do crazy things when they feel cornered."

Juliette: "He's not going to hurt me, Rosaline. He thinks he's smarter than me. That's his first mistake."

Rosaline: "And what if you're wrong? What if he's two steps ahead?"

Juliette: "Then I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But for now, I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing I'm hurt. I want him to think he won."

Rosaline: "This isn't like you, Juliette. You're not this cold, calculating person."

Juliette: "I'm not cold. I'm just done. I gave him everything, and he threw it away. So now I'm taking my time, and I'm going to make sure when I walk away, it's on my terms—not his."

Rosaline: "So what, you're just going to wait it out? What if it never blows up? What if he keeps this up forever?"

Juliette: "Then I'll leave him when I'm ready. But not before. I'm not going to let him dictate when this ends. That's the difference."

Rosaline: "I don't like this, Juliette. This feels... dangerous. Emotionally dangerous."

Juliette: "I know. But I'm not ready to confront him. Not yet. Not until I have all the pieces. I want him to suffer a little first."

Rosaline: "I just don't want you getting hurt more than you already have."

Juliette: "I've already been hurt, Rosaline. Now it's just about making sure I come out stronger."

Rosaline: "Promise me you'll tell me if things start spiraling."

Juliette: "I will. But trust me on this. I know what I'm doing."

Rosaline: "You're my little sister. I'm always going to worry."

Juliette: "And I appreciate that. But I need to handle this my way."

Rosaline: laughs slightly "Just don't lose yourself in the process, okay?"

Juliette: chuckles "I won't. I'm just finding myself again, that's all."

Rosaline: smiles "Glad to know, you took mom's attitude with your way of thinking"

Juliette: sarcastically "Oh my Gosh, stop mentioning it every damn day!"

They spent the rest of the morning, joking around and she only went back home approximately at noon, going back to the now hell of a house.

"Where were you."

She immediately looked up. It was Sebastian. It was the first time he was home early, guessed his mistress didn't have time for him, whatever. She didn't care anymore, not ever, not after what he did.

"I just went on a walk with my sister," She said simply.

"Without telling me goodbye? I woke up to an empty bed, thanks"

But, when you're doing this to me almost every day, it's okay, huh?

"Sorry." She said with a slightly sarcastic tone.

"It's alright, just come here, I'm feeling like cuddling all day today." He said with arms open and a wide smile.

Ironic.

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