Beyond the Divorce

Strong Evidence

Melanie didn’t stay long after dinner. She pouted at Matthew and asked, “Matt, can you give me a ride?”

I rolled my eyes at her and glanced her way, but she feigned ignorance as she clung to Matthew’s arm, acting like a spoiled brat.

Matthew looked at me with a helpless smile, but since I didn’t respond, he awkwardly said, “Wait a while. I’ll help Chloe with the dishes and then take you out.”

I was honestly sick of Melanie’s behavior and didn’t want to see her for another minute, so I waved Matthew away. “You go ahead and take her where she wants to go. I can handle the dishes myself.”

“Daddy, where are you going? I want to go too!” Ava called out, standing up from her chair as she extended her little hands for Matthew to pick her up.

Matthew lifted Ava and pecked her cheek, saying, “Daddy will be home soon! Be good and play with Mommy, okay?”

“What’s the point of you coming along, kid?” Melanie questioned. She had no patience for Ava.

I took Ava from Matthew. “Sweetheart, Daddy is sending your aunt off and will be home soon. Can you stay here with Mommy?”

Ava looked at me with her big, watery eyes before nodding. Then she hugged my neck and turned to look at Matthew. “Okay! Come home quickly, Daddy!”

Matthew leaned in to kiss Ava again and nodded. “Okay!”

He then took the car keys and left to drop Melanie off.

Melanie held onto her brother’s arm, glancing back at me with a smug and mysterious smile, but I couldn’t be bothered.

Matthew returned late that night, but I didn’t ask much. Since he was a dutiful son, I assumed he chatted with his parents before coming home.

He woke up early the following day and said he had an important meeting at nine in the morning. He also took Ava with him and dropped her off at kindergarten to save me the trouble.

Matthew was always considerate about every detail, leaving me nothing to complain about. It was just as Ivanna said. He had spoiled me so much that I grew accustomed to it. He was the ideal husband, even to others.

I looked at the clothes he had changed out of and tidied them up since the laundry was piling up. I checked the pockets before taking them downstairs to send them off to the dry cleaner. Still, I didn’t expect to find something in one of the pockets.

I was shocked and horrified by what I held. It provided undeniable evidence for all my doubts and worries. It was a packaged condom.

After giving birth to Ava, I had an IUD inserted, so we had no reason to have such a thing. I threw the disgusting thing away, and my heart shattered. I knew he was cheating on me! After years of hard work and struggles, he betrayed my trust.

Just as we finally enjoyed some good days, he dared to lie to me. I felt helpless as I knelt on the floor and held my head. Images of him and another woman swirled in my mind, adding to my heartache.

I had given him all my youth and love. I had given everything to him and this family, yet he treated me like dirt. After my initial shock, I mumbled to myself repeatedly, “Chloe, calm down. You can’t afford to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

I needed to give myself a clear and definitive answer. Once I recollected my emotions, I clenched my fists and told myself not to give up. After taking a deep breath, I washed up and took a cab to the company building.