Please Don't Leave [Cheater!Levi x Reader]

Chapter 5: Stranger

Aye, my wonderful readers. FINALLY. AFTER BEING ON HIATUS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, I'm finally continuing our little angst tale. I still am not entirely sure how this is going to flow, or even end, but it is an angst. Sooo, I might just have to rip all your hearts out AGAIN...eventually.

Happy reading (;

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The kettle screeched as you readied the cups and tea bags. You normally tried to make your tea from scratch since that's how Levi always liked it, but you haven't really been motivated enough to make any lately. Who can blame you? You turned to grab the kettle and began to pour. Levi made his way over to you and placed a soft kiss on your cheek.

"I'll be leaving work early today, how does [your favorite restaurant] sound for dinner later?" he adjusted his ascot before reaching for the cup.

"What time? I plan on getting more groceries sometime today." You didn't meet his gaze.

This was how it usually was now. He would try to make an effort to be a husband, but you weren't fully there yet to truly appreciate it. He was on trial and he knew it. One more slip up and you would leave his ass high and dry, but at the same time part of you wanted to give in entirely again. Bask in the love that you two used to share.

The love before everything changed.

He took a sip, "No later than five. Probably earlier."

"What if someone keeps you late?" you took a small sip. Erwin could always ask Levi to stay later to help keep the company on track, but you were more curious about Petra.

"And by someone you mean-"

"You know exactly who I mean." You voice was stern with slight hostility.

You never asked Levi about work, just to see him leave almost every day frustrated you. Once you got back together you didn't speak all that much, and work was your least favorite topic. Levi knew this, obviously, and tried to ease your mind by telling you that Petra had been reassigned as an assistant to another employee. Currently, his assistant is Eren Jeager.

"[name], like I said, she was reassigned," he sighed moving closer to you and grabbed your hand, "I have to go." He leaned in to give you one last kiss on the forehead before heading out the door taking his tea cup with him.

You gripped the cup tightly in your hand as you made your way to the patio. It was beautiful outside. The dew that laid upon the yard glistened in the sunlight and the air was warm but crisp. Once upon a time, Levi and you always made a point to enjoy your tea on the patio. He would make some snarky remark and you would just rebuttal back and forth; the mere thought brought on a small smirk. You missed those days.

I miss you...

Truthfully, the first few weeks after deciding to stay with Levi were hard on you. You tried to distract yourself as frequently as possible. Whether it be cleaning the house like a mad woman, reading an enticing book, visiting your friend Mikasa, or even drifting into a blissful nap where your mind could wander away from all the pain you still harbored inside. In your heart you knew you still truly loved Levi, but did you trust him? Definitely not.

At first, you couldn't even stand to look at him. You were there physically, but mentally? Not even a little bit. Your mind was always swirling with thoughts and memories. Mostly bad, but sometimes a good one here and there would slip in. He would attempt to try to distract you, make conversation, but it was usually futile. You were numb yet sad. Sad about the affair? Or sad that I didn't walk away? Maybe it was both, maybe it was neither. You really didn't know anymore.

You were sleeping in the guest bedroom at first, hiding away from him when he would return home. He would always stop in to check on you as you laid there seemingly asleep; making his way to your side to place his cold hand on your soft cheek. Most nights you were still awake, but you didn't want him to know that. You laid there acting as if you were sound asleep as if at peace while inside you just wanted him to leave. Just wanted him to stop coming in every night to whisper those sacred words in your ear before heading off to bed.

"I love you, [name]..."

Every night the same words escaped his lips, and every night tears streamed down your cheeks.

I love you too, Levi...

... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ...

It was a little after one o'clock, and you still wanted to make a trip to the local market for some fresh goods. Lately the theme had been quick dinners and instant drinks which was starting to get old. So you shifted through the fridge and kitchen cabinets writing down items you knew you needed before tucking the list inside your wallet. You slipped on your shoes and debated on taking your purse with you or not.

You decided against it and made your way out the door; your wallet and phone nestled safely in your pockets as you drove into town. Rolling down the windows, opening the sun roof, and blaring your music, you felt energized being out of the house. Going out and doing stuff provided distraction from your troubled thoughts, and grocery shopping was your favorite distraction. You got to decide what food you bought, how much of it you wanted, and no one could say shit about it. Levi could bitch and complain, but at this point he had no right. You pulled into the building and started shopping. Your task was going smoothly, checking off items here and there. Picking up things that weren't even on your list to begin with. The typical aspects of grocery shopping.

Then you saw her.

Her ginger hair styled in its usual fashion and she was dressed in her uniform as she looked diligently to the shelf. Your heart rose into your throat at the sight of her. Honestly, you felt sick. It felt as if your chest was being squeezed while your body was frozen in place. Cold sweat escaped your skin and yet you felt as if you were on fire. You could feel your hands shaking as the anxiety was taking over you. Why here? Why now? Her head turned slightly over in your direction.

SHIT.

Finally, your body relieved some of the tension that had encompassed your very soul and you bolted down the isle avoiding her view.

Please don't see me. Please don't see me.

You weren't ready. You couldn't face her yet. The very thought of it was making your body shake. With rage? With fear? It didn't really matter at this point. What did matter was that you needed to get the hell out of here and fast. Even if you had been ready to face her, what would she say? "Hey, I know I slept with your husband and all, but no hard feelings, right? You're still my best friend, [name]." Yeah, right. The day she'll say that will the day you'll shove your foot up her ass.

But today would not be that day.

You ignored the rest of the items left unchecked on your list and made your way to the self-checkout lane. You waited anxiously for one of the scanners to open while looking back every few seconds to make sure she didn't sneak up on you. You caught glimpse of her hair and panicked once more. My god, could these people be ANY slower?!

You were growing extremely impatient which left you with daggers for eyes that would pierce through the very soul of anyone who dare look at you. Unfortunately, a small old woman made the mistake of looking your way just as she was pulling out her cash to pay. If only looks could kill. The older woman looked away bewildered by the fearsome look and her hands started to shake as she inserted the cash into the machine. This earned a long sigh from you as you watched her hopelessly.

Thankfully, a man was finally finished ringing his things and waved at you "Hey, this one's ready for ya, [name]." He flashed a quick smile your way before heading on his way.

"Thank you!" You yelled after him, and then finally realized.

How did that man know my name?