"Disgraceful? Old woman, stop deceiving yourself," Lindsay sneered. "Come Saturday morning, you'll understand everything."
Her cryptic laughter lingered as she handed me an address. One glance at it and my heart sank, it was my mother's resort village.
I knew this was a Pandora's box, but I went early that morning anyway.
Standing at the most concealed downwind spot, I witnessed the barbecue party unfolding on the lawn.
Familiar cars arrived and to my utter disbelief, Matthew appeared, carefully holding Lindsay as they stepped out in broad daylight. My friends, our mutual friends, smiled and approached them with laughter, teasing, "Lindsay is looking more radiant by the day. Matthew, you've been taking excellent care of her!"
"Is Lindsay particularly playful?" they teased him.
Amid suggestive teasing, Matthew curled his lips into a smile and openly replied, "Her body is so soft, she's like an enchantress."
"Matthew! There are so many people here!" Lindsay playfully thumped his chest, her expression smug despite her mock shyness.
"Doesn't Miranda know she can't have children? Once Lindsay gives birth ..."
"Matthew, you can say it's an orphan you adopted from the welfare center. Keep the child close at hand."
"Miranda is educated and reasonable, she'll definitely raise the child well."
"We're rich, powerful and of noble status, how could we ever have just one woman?"
"As long as the secret's well-kept, Miranda won't find out for her whole life. Besides, her mother's already on your side."
Hearing this, I felt my blood run cold, my body frozen in place. I hated myself for standing downwind, catching every foul word clearly. It turned out Lindsay had long gained my friends' approval and even my mother knew about her.
Everyone was aware of Matthew's infidelity but helped him hide it. I was the only fool being kept in the dark, thinking my life was blissful and my marriage perfect. What a colossal lie.
Dazed and heartbroken, I returned home. With trembling hands, I gathered my documents and placed the gift box containing the divorce papers prominently on the coffee table.
Then, without hesitation, I left the house for good, not sparing a single glance back.
Matthew, may we never cross paths again in this lifetime.
