Chapter 2

I sat in a quiet cafe in the town centre, where I had agreed to meet this person who claimed to be the fiance of my husband's so-called lover. The thought of it made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. James had left earlier for work than usual, and I had no idea if he would be back home. I had arrived at the cafe a few minutes earlier than planned and ordered a cup of tea to brush away the nerves already tingling up and down my body.

I found a table furthest from the window. It worried me that if I was seen, it might get back to James. I reminded myself that I should not be concerned since he was the one betraying me, not the other way around.

Glancing at my watch, I noticed that it was already ten past nine, and this unknown sender was late. I started to doubt his intentions and wonder if this really was a stupid prank. I decided to give it just five more minutes because I really did not have the energy to deal with any more disappointment.

The bell above the cafe door suddenly chimed as someone stepped inside, pulling me from my thoughts. He scanned the room before resting his chocolate brown eyes on me and walking over. I noticed how handsome he looked; dressed smartly in a grey suit and matching tie. His thick brown curls were swept neatly from his face.

"Aha, good morning, Mia. My name is Colin." He held out his hand as he introduced himself. "Hello, pleased to meet you." I politely shook his hand. He then placed a small black briefcase on the table, and I eyed it curiously. "Apologies for my lateness. I do hope you were not waiting too long. " He raised his eyebrows and slid into the seat opposite me.

Placing his hands on the table, he took a deep breath and studied me carefully.

I offered a tight smile. My thoughts wandered to my husband and how he would feel if he knew where I was and what I was doing. Would he be bothered? Would he feel remorse for his lack of interest in me lately? I was not sure.

"So tell me, how are you feeling? I understand it must have come as a shock." Colin got straight to the point, and I sensed a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

I circled my finger around the top of my mug, daring to look straight at him. How did he think I was feeling? Indeed, he would know I would be hurt, angry and emotional to know my husband was cheating on me with a younger woman.

"How do you think I am feeling?" I snapped harshly, causing a few other customers to turn and look our way. My cheeks stung as embarrassment washed over me. Thankfully they quickly went back to their own business, and I let out a heavy sigh while resting my head in my hands.

I realised that it wasn't Colin's fault. I should not have lashed out at him like that, but the pain of being betrayed made me angry; how could my husband do such a cruel thing?

"Mia, I want to show you something," he said, opening his briefcase and showing me a photo. This one was clearer than the one he had sent to my phone the previous night.

I closed my eyes for a second and slowly nodded my head. "Yes, that is my husband."

Colin gave me a sympathetic look and closed the briefcase carefully,

"You see, my fiance Erin, she is the love of my life, and I hate to think she could do such a thing to me. We were childhood sweethearts; I had never even touched another girl. Erin was my first everything; I gave her every part of me, my life, body and soul. She is beautiful, stunning and clever. She comes from a wealthy family and wants for nothing; it surprises me that she could be the type to cheat. We go to church every Sunday and are supposed to be planning our wedding with all our family together." he explained, and I sat in stunned silence, letting his words sink in.

So her name was Erin.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite my turmoil.

"But after some hints from friends," Colin continued, "I discovered she had been secretly seeing James for over a year. I couldn't believe it initially, but the signs became impossible to ignore. While I was busy trusting her, she betrayed me with your husband. It's one hell of a pill to swallow."

I couldn't speak. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes, and I wiped my face with the back of my hand, avoiding his gaze.

"Mia, I'm so very deeply sorry that this has come as a massive shock to you," he said softly.

"How could he do this to me, to us? " I clenched my jaw and shook my head.

"Do you have children together?" Colin suddenly asked.

"No. We wanted children, but it just hasn't happened yet. Maybe it's for the best if he's sticking it in other women," I muttered, searching my bag for a tissue and then blowing my nose.

"So, what do you plan to do next? Divorce him?" Colin asked, his tone earnest. His question hung heavy over me like a stormy rain cloud. I felt paralysed by the weight of this looming decision.

Divorce.

I hated that word.

It echoed in my head, and I felt a lump form in my throat, followed by a rush of emotions. I had never envisioned a life without James. He was my life!

My stomach churned as I grappled with its finality. "I. I can't imagine living a lie anymore. I can't trust my husband after this; he has destroyed me. I will divorce him."

Colin leaned closer, his eyes full of understanding. "Then I want to help you gather the evidence needed to expose their infidelity. Mia, you have the upper hand in this." He glanced at his watch and frowned.

"Do you need to be somewhere?" I questioned.

"Nowhere but here. Now, let's get this plan into motion."