Waking in the middle of the night, Eleanor felt an emptiness beside her. Confused, she reached out, hoping to feel the familiar warmth of her husband, William.
But sleep didnt return, and William hadnt come back to bed for nearly twenty minutes. Eleanors heart pounded anxiously as she sat up, staring into the darkness. What if something had happened? Maybe hed fallen ill?
She tried to calm herself, thinking perhaps hed woken from insomnia and was handling work matters. Yet unease lingered.
Not wanting to worry needlessly, Eleanor carefully rose from bed and tiptoed to the kitchen. As she approached, she froze a few steps away.
She heard Williams voice. He was on the phone. The speaker was loud enough for her to make out the other persons words. Or rather, the other womans.
“Yes, darling, Ive already booked the tickets to Spain,” William said, his voice brimming with excitement. “Well have an unforgettable time. No one will ever know.”
Eleanor felt the ground slip from beneath her. Her world shattered in an instant. Every word, every phrase cut deep, like sharp blades.
So many years togetherso many plans, joys, and hardships theyd faced side by side. How could he?
Eleanor returned to the bedroom. Lying in the dark, tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart ached with pain, a storm of anger, hurt, and bitter disappointment raging inside her.
Finally, steeling herself, she got up, walked to the wardrobe, and began packing Williams belongings into a suitcase.
When he entered the bedroom and saw her with the suitcase, he froze in shock. “Whats going on?”
Eleanor met his eyes, filled with resolve. “I packed your bag,” she said calmly. “So you can take it with you to Spain.”
“What are you talking about?” William laughed nervously.
“Dont pretend, William. I heard your phone call in the kitchen.”
William visibly paled, his hands trembling. He opened his mouth to speak, but Eleanor stopped him. “Pack the rest yourself. Take the suitcase and go to a hotelor wherever you like. And after your ‘holiday,’ dont come back.”
That night, Eleanors life changed forever.
As William left, she lay back down, knowing sleep wouldnt come. But one thought stayed with her: everything would be different now. No more illusions, no more pain from betrayal. She was finally free.
And what do you think? Did Eleanor do the right thing? Or should she have stayed silent? Share your thoughts below!
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