He Loved Leaving Clues After Cheating

My husband always left little clues behind after his affairs.

Last time, I found a lipstick in the passenger footwell of his car. A vibrant plum shade. The same color his junior nurse always wore.

I pretended not to see it. He kept glancing at me during the drive, probably wondering if my feigned ignorance emboldened his little nurse to cross more lines.

This time, hed actually tucked a pair of black stockings under my pillow. He even sent me screenshots of their explicit messages.

[So what if youre childhood sweethearts? Youre old news now. Arthurs bored with you. You have no idea how passionate he gets in your marriage bed, do you?]

I saved it silently, just like all the others.

I used to fight Arthur countless times over her. Our wedding home was practically ripped apart and redecorated multiple times after my outbursts.

But now, I was tired of fighting. I wouldn't do it anymore.

I meticulously gathered the evidence.

I compiled a thirty-five-page presentation, complete with receipts, and uploaded it online.

She loved to share, didnt she?

Then let her share to her heart's content.

Arthur stood at the bedroom door, holding the black stockings between two fingers, a look of distaste on his face. Audrey, we need to talk about this.

My eyelids were heavy from a night spent working on that presentation. I closed my laptop. Theres nothing to talk about. You deal with it.

No. Arthur spoke, ignoring my grim expression. You were away on business last week, and I had a major surgery. I gave my key to someone from the department to pick up a change of clothes for me.

I never expected it to be Scarlett, and I certainly never expected her to do something so sordid. He looked at me, his eyes pleading. Audrey, you have to believe me.

Are you finished?

He choked on his words. I tried to walk past him into the bathroom.

Audrey. Arthur grabbed my wrist. Dont you care at all?

I used to care.

A year ago, when I first found that lipstick in his car, I smashed the dinnerware wed bought on our honeymoon. Six months ago, when I saw a photo of them at the movies on social media, I shredded all his white shirts. Three months ago, when I found her suggestive emojis in his phone, I threw a vase at our television.

Id made a scene countless times, but in the end, we never truly separated.

Because we were childhood sweethearts.

We were three years old, fighting over the same building block in preschool. When I was ten, he took the blame for me and got a lecture from our teacher. On the eve of our high school finals, when we were seventeen, he climbed through my window onto the balcony. Just to tell me:

Audrey, dont be nervous. Wherever you go, Ill follow.

Twenty-seven years of memories had spun a thick cocoon around me, trapping me inside.

Arthur, Im just so tired. I tugged my wrist, but he wouldnt let go.

What do you mean? He stared at me intently, not wanting to miss a single flicker of emotion.

Let go.

No! You have to tell me whats going on today!

Struggling was almost an instinct. In the frantic push and pull, something fell.

The sharp crack of breaking porcelain shattered the quiet night.

We both froze.

A pile of scattered fragments lay cold and gleaming under the lamp. It was the white porcelain vase Id made during a summer art program in Florence when I was sixteen. Arthur had squatted behind me, our faces burning with embarrassment as our classmates teased us, helping me finish it. Our intertwined handprints were the vases only pattern.

Over the years, wed moved several times, argued countless times. Id smashed necklaces he gave me, shattered furniture wed picked out together. But I had never touched that vase. It had always stood there, holding dried babys breath.

Now it was broken.

Arthur flinched, his grip on my arm suddenly slackening. And I, utterly drained of strength, crumpled directly onto the ceramic shards.

Blood bloomed instantly, staining the white porcelain, blurring the memories of my youth.

Arthurs face turned ashen. Audrey His hands trembled uncontrollably. Im sorry, Im so sorry, I didnt mean to, I

More and more blood flowed, pooling on the floor. Strangely, I felt no pain, only a dull ache in my eyes.

He scooped me up in a panic. After a quick, makeshift clean-up, he drove me to the hospital. His hands gripped the steering wheel, shaking the entire way.

He drove at top speed, straight to the emergency room, only to find Scarlett on duty.

He frowned. Get someone else.

Scarlett shrugged, a playful pout on her lips. Sorry, Dr. Blackwood. Im the only one free right now.

Arthur was about to say more, but I cut him off. I pointed at Scarlett. You. You do it.

My assessment of Scarlett had always been brutally honest: stupid and malicious. But I never imagined shed be so brazen, even in front of Arthur.

When she deliberately poked my wound with tweezers for the third time, Arthur shoved her away.

What the hell are you doing? Cant you even dress a wound? How did you even get into medical school if you cant manage basic first aid? Get out!

Scarletts eyes welled with tears, but Arthur ignored her. He quickly changed into surgical scrubs and prepared to treat my wound himself.

Arthur put me in a private room. We need to observe you for a few days. He handed me a glass of warm water, the pills resting in the bottle cap. The wound might get infected. You need to be extra careful these next few days He rambled on and on.

I didnt respond.

His voice softened. Ill get you those cinnamon rolls you love, with some herbal tea. How about it?

Seeing I still didn't react, he stood for a moment, then turned and left. When he returned, he carried a tray with warm pastries, a light broth, and a box of sliced fruit. Careful, its hot. He blew on a piece of pastry before offering it to my lips.

I took a small bite. No point in punishing my own stomach.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway. A few doctors in white coats stopped at my door. The one in front peeked in and chuckled. Well, well, Dr. Blackwood, youre here earlier than all of us!

Arthurs ears turned a faint red. He pursed his lips.

Heard you pulled some strings to get a private operating room for a family member last night, another colleague teased, winking at him. Isnt that against regulations?

Despite knowing it was a joke, Arthur explained earnestly, Everyone was busy yesterday. It was an emergency, and I had to make a judgment call. But if the hospital wants to investigate, Ill cooperate fully.

The others burst into laughter, then, understanding the unspoken hint, discreetly left.

Arthur stood there, head down, ears crimson, not daring to look at me. He was like this the first time he told me he loved me. Like this the first time he held my hand. Like this when he said I do at our wedding.

Those days felt so good. So good they seemed like another lifetime.

I closed my eyes and burrowed deeper into the blankets. He called my name a few times. When I didnt answer, he simply sat beside me, guarding the forgotten broth.

Just as I was drifting into a hazy sleep, I heard someone push open the door. A cheerful voice bubbled in. Dr. Blackwood, Ive come to apologize to Audrey.

Yesterday really wasnt on purpose. I was just so nervous. With you watching, Dr. Blackwood, my hands were shaking.

I squinted through a gap in the blankets toward the sound. I saw Arthur grabbing her arm, trying to usher her out.

Who told you to come in?

The door was open, wasnt it? She took another step closer, almost pressing against his chest. And I really want to apologize You were so harsh with me yesterday, I cried all night when I got home.

As she spoke, she lifted her hand, her fingertips subtly brushing the name tag on Arthurs chest. Under his white lab coat, he wore a thin, dark grey shirt today.

Scarlett. Arthurs voice was low, a warning.

Hmm? She leaned in even closer, her lips almost touching his ear, whispering conspiratorially, Dr. Blackwood, your heart is beating so fast

I pushed myself up in bed. Perhaps the two of you would prefer to take this outside? I suggested, my voice flat. Or I could leave and give you some privacy.

Arthur abruptly pushed Scarlett away. She stumbled back a couple of steps and landed hard on the floor. Arthur, you Her eyes instantly welled up.

Get out. Arthurs voice was chillingly cold.

Scarlett scrambled to her feet, glared at me, then clutched her face and ran out.

Arthur stood there, his back to me. His shoulders rose and fell a few times before he finally turned around. Audrey, I

Apologies. Did I interrupt your little rendezvous with your mistress? I lay back down, turning my back to him.

He stood for a long time. Then his phone vibrated.

He didn't answer the first time. On the fourth, he picked up. Hello?

A muffled sob came through the receiver, broken and clear in the quiet room. Ive been hit that old man on the scooter he wont let me go Dr. Blackwood, Im scared

Arthur remained silent.

Could you could you come? Just by the back entrance of the hospital please The sobs grew louder, punctuated by a mans angry shouting in the background.

Arthur silently hung up, then glanced at me. He walked to the edge of my bed and murmured, Audrey?

Im just stepping out. Ill be back soon. Shes a colleague, after all As he spoke, his phone vibrated again in his pocket. He ignored it.

Then I heard the soft click of the doorknob.

Ten minutes later, I pulled out my IV and discharged myself. The wound on my knee hadnt healed yet. But a little pain meant nothing now.

As I walked towards the artificial lake, I saw them.

Arthur was supporting Scarlett, her body half-slumped into his. Her right hand rested on his shoulder, while her left pressed against his waist, her fingertips tracing the upper edge of his belt buckle, stroking it.

Arthurs free hand made a move to pull her away. But Scarlett was quicker. Her fingers slipped, burrowing into his palm, intertwining with his. He stiffened, but he didnt pull away.

I stopped dead.

Suddenly, as if sensing my presence, Scarlett turned her head. She whispered something into Arthurs ear. He nodded, released her hand, and turned to walk towards the outpatient building.

Scarlett remained where she was. Only when he was out of earshot did she walk towards me. Audrey, youre discharged? Why didnt you ask Dr. Blackwood to see you off?

I ignored her.

She caught up to me. I glanced at her ankle, which she had supposedly twisted. She shrugged, unfazed.

You know, he helped me all the way, and his hand never left me. She tilted her head, her eyes curving into a smile. How could a surgeon like him not tell if my ankle was really sprained?

He held me so tight, though. Dont you think he cares about me?

But I understand you. She sighed, feigning sympathy. After so many years, you two probably dont have any passion left, just habit, right?

Are you finished? I stopped walking.

Oh, are you angry? She covered her mouth, giggling. Theres no man in the world who doesnt stray. You cant expect him to stay faithful to you forever. But I do admire you, being able to turn a blind eye like this

Scarlett. I cut her off. Do you know what the most pathetic thing about you is?

Her smile froze.

You have to resort to such contemptible tactics to win a man who doesn't love you.

She suddenly grabbed my wrist. What do you mean?

Exactly what I said. I shook her off. Let go.

I pulled my hand back forcefully, and she stumbled. Instinctively, she pushed me.

I fell backwards towards the artificial lake. I clung to her tightly, and the momentum pulled us both into the icy water.

The surface was partially frozen, and the splash was loud, drawing many eyes.

Including Arthur, who had just returned.

He hadnt seen Scarlett push me. So, from his perspective, I had tried to push Scarlett in, and she had pulled me in with her.

Arthur quickly pulled her out. Scarlett was soaked, her nurses uniform plastered to her body, shivering from the cold. She collapsed into Arthurs arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Dr. Blackwood She burrowed desperately into his embrace, even unbuttoning his shirt.

Arthur said nothing, his eyes fixed on me. Id seen that look before. The same cold, disappointed, impatient look hed given me every time Id made a scene over the past two years.

Audrey, he said, his voice deep and stern. This is a persons life.

If you have a problem, take it out on me. Dont vent your anger on others.

I didnt bother to argue. I reached out, bracing myself against the muddy bank, trying to stand. But Scarlett, who had supposedly fainted, suddenly slipped. Her shoe, as if guided by an unseen force, brutally kicked the side of my knee, right where the wound was.

My grip loosened, and I tumbled back into the lake. Arthur, meanwhile, frantically scooped up Scarlett and rushed towards the outpatient building.

This fall was much worse. The back of my head hit the ice, and my vision went black for a few seconds. The frigid water flooded my nasal cavity, choking me. I struggled to the surface. He never once looked back.

The water wasnt deep, only reaching my chest when I stood. But after two attempts, my right leg wouldnt bear any weight. Every movement sent a blinding pain through me.

In the end, it was the cleaning lady who found me. By the time she pulled me out with her mop handle, I was too numb to speak. My lips were purple, my fingers so stiff I couldnt clench them.

Oh, the poor thing The woman draped her jacket over me. How did you fall in? Wheres your family?

I shook my head.

The moment I stood up, a searing cramp tore through my lower abdomen. My vision swam, and I passed out.