Ready for You
Beta-Kitchmill
Prereader-Dawn
3
"Why do I need to sit down? Is he okay or not?"
"Bella, he is fine, but I saw something." She pauses. "Um, the house was all lit up when I got there, so I went up to the door to knock. I could see in the window to the living room and it was all set up."
"What do you mean set up?" I urge impatiently.
"Um, god I hate to be the one to tell you this. The coffee table was set up for two people: flowers, two glasses, champagne on ice, romantic music was playing. My first thought was, 'how sweet; he's getting this ready for when Bella gets home,' but that made no sense. You're not due home until next week. So I hid."
"You hid?"
"Yeah, in the bushes by the front door. I waited. Bella, a woman showed up. When he opened the door, they embraced and kissed—I mean really kissed—and he said, 'I'm so glad you're here.' She had an overnight bag with her." She pauses again. "Bella, you okay?"
"Um, are you sure? Are you sure it's not his client? I mean, clients hug, right?"
"Not like this, Bella. This was no friendly hug. Honey, you told me yourself that he's been different, distant, gone all the time. It kind of makes sense now. Don't you think?" she asks cautiously.
"I can't believe it. I mean I believe you, but maybe you just misinterpreted it? He wouldn't do this to me, to our girls. I mean, we just had a baby. What kind of man cheats on his wife when she's home with a brand new baby, or worse yet, while she's carrying his child?" I ask in disbelief.
"What are you going to do? Is there anything I can do?"
I think for a split second, and there is only one thing I can do, one reasonable choice.
"I'm coming home on the next flight." I hang up before she has a chance to comment. I call the airline, book a flight, throw on some clothes suitable for travel, shut down my phone and seek out my mom.
"You're doing what? He did what? She saw what?" my mom questions when I quickly tell her what Rose saw.
"I don't have time to answer you, Mom. I have to see for myself."
"Honey, are you sure this is the right thing to do? What about the girls? Sophie needs you."
"If Dad can drive me to the airport, we can stop at Target on the way and get bottles and formula. You're the one who got Ellie to take a bottle; you can do the same for Sophie. I plan to be back tomorrow. I just need to do this, Mom," I plead.
She nods. "I'll go get your father."
"Are you sure about this, honey?" my dad asks with concern.
"I have to do this, Dad, see for myself. I can't wait until I'm home next week. I will go crazy not knowing. I won't be good for anyone if I stay, especially the girls."
"Okay, honey, if you're sure. Your mother and I just want what is best for you."
The flight takes forever, and it's just after three a.m. when the Uber driver pulls up in front of our house. My nervous hands fumble with the house keys, making more noise than I want. The familiar creak of our front door should be comforting, but now it feels like it's mocking me. Telling me how foolish I am.
The house is quiet, the living room dark, but I can make out the remains of exactly the scene Rose had described to me. My heart is pounding out of my chest as I ascend the stairs to our bedroom. The door is wide open, but before I look, I steel myself for what is coming. I know whatever I find or don't find will irreparably change me, my marriage, and most importantly my family. Either way, I'm the foolish, blind, dutiful wife, or I'm the wife that doesn't trust her husband—so much so that I'd fly home, leaving my children in another state.
A/N
Is Bella smart or foolish for doing this?
So, I'm going to post a few more short chapters then some longer ones?
Thanks for reading. I love hearing your theories :)