Waking in the middle of the night, Eleanor felt the emptiness beside her. Confused, she reached out, hoping to feel the familiar warmth of her husband, Edward.
But sleep didnt return, and Edward hadnt come back to bed for nearly fifteen minutes. Eleanors heart pounded anxiously as she sat up, staring into the darkness. What if something had happened? What if hed fallen ill?
She tried to calm herself, reasoning that perhaps Edward had simply woken with insomnia and was tending to some work. But unease clung to her.
Not wanting to fret needlessly, Eleanor carefully rose from bed, quietly opened the bedroom door, and tiptoed toward the kitchen. As she neared, she froze just steps away.
She heard Edwards voice. He was on the phone. The speaker was loud enough for her to make out the other callers wordsor rather, the other womans.
*”Yes, darling, Ive already booked the tickets to Spain,”* Edwards voice rang out, brimming with excitement. *”Well have an unforgettable time together. No one will ever know.”*
Eleanor felt the ground vanish beneath her. Her world shattered in an instant. Each word, each phrase, cut into her like a knife.
So many years together, so many plans, joys, and sorrows theyd faced side by side. How could he?
Eleanor returned to the bedroom. Lying in the dark, she felt tears spill down her cheeks. Her heart ached with pain, her soul a tempest of anger, hurt, and bitter disappointment.
Finally, steeling herself, she got up, walked to the wardrobe, and began packing Edwards things into a suitcase.
When Edward walked back into the bedroom, he saw her with the suitcase and asked, startled, *”Whats going on?”*
Eleanor lifted her eyes to his, filled with resolve and sorrow. *”I packed your bag,”* she said calmly. *”So you can take it with you to Spain.”*
*”What are you talking about?”* Edward forced a nervous laugh.
*”Dont pretend, Edward. I heard your phone call in the kitchen.”*
Edward visibly paled, his hands trembling. He opened his mouth to speak, but Eleanor stopped him.
*”You can pack the rest yourself. Take the suitcase and go to a hotelor wherever you like. And after your ‘holiday,’ dont bother coming back.”*
That night, Eleanors life changed forever.
As Edward left, she lay back down, though she knew sleep wouldnt come. One thought lingered: everything would be different now. No more illusions, no more pain from betrayal. She was finally free.
So, what do you think? Did Eleanor do the right thing? Or should she have stayed silent? Share your thoughts below!
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