Lexi stormed through the front door, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She turned her left hand glancing at her watch. At 8:10 p.m., she was running late for their anniversary dinner and still needed to freshen up.
'I hope Leonard won't be angry that I delayed.' Her eyes held a smile as the memory of their past anniversary came to mind.
'This time it'll be a private dinner. I'm sure he'll love all my preparations.'
As she rushed upstairs, she felt overwhelmed with excitement and nervousness. Tonight was supposed to be a special night—to rekindle the flame that had been dwindling in her marriage.
It was their second anniversary, and she hoped things would get better from here on out.
She took off down another corridor and within seconds the bedroom was in view, but as she came close, she heard the unmistakable sounds of laughter and pleasure coming from inside.
Her feet glided to a halt. Her heart sank.
Lexi's mind raced with thoughts as she reached for the doorknob, her fingers trembling slightly. She pushed the door open. The scene before her was like a punch to the gut.
Her husband, the man she had promised to love and cherish, was on top of another woman fucking her brains out.
Vera Cruz, the woman he had always claimed was just a friend, was riding him with reckless abandon, her eyes closed in ecstasy, as if she were in heaven.
"Fuck, yes! Oh, fuck me, baby!"
"Yes! Take my cock! Take my fucking cock!" he groaned, thrusting upwards to meet her downward plunge.
"Oh god! Leonard!"
Lexi watched in horror, her eyes widening as they continued their passionate exchange.
She couldn't move, couldn't even speak. All the cells in her body failed to respond. It was like she had been paralyzed by the scene unfolding before her.
She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All she could do was stand there, frozen in shock and horror.
"Urgh, I bet you don't fuck Lexi like this," Vera said with a smirk. "I bet she doesn't even have the stamina to make you cum more than twice."
Lexi flinched, the numbness easing off, now replaced by anger bubbling from within. Her lips trembled. 'How dare she insult me?'
Letting her anger through, she dipped her hand in her trouser pocket, took out her phone, and snapped a few shots with a video.
Still, they were engrossed in their lovemaking to notice her.
"F*ck, pound me more and cum in me. Get me pregnant again, Leonard! Tell me just how much you love me and how much I mean to you more than Lexi, tell me!"
"Yes, baby, yeah, I've never loved any woman in my life as much as I've loved you. Only you know how to pleasure me."
That was the last straw that broke Carmel's back.
Fuming, Lexi pushed the door wide open, letting the sound drive through their brains. Immediately, both of them stopped what they were doing, their gazes trained on her.
"Oops," was all Vera voiced, but the mischievous smirk on her face as she ground her hips on Leo, moaning, only irked Lexi more.
"How could you?" she asked softly, her eyes fixed on Leonard, his naked chest, and their joined bodies. "How dare you?" Her voice rose as she stepped into the room. "It's our anniversary for heaven's sake, Leo, and you're here, cheating on me in our matrimonial bed. Just how the fuck could you?!"
The pure pleasure she had seen in her husband's eyes had faded. In its place was a look of cold calculation and hatred.
He pulled out of Vera, causing her to whimper, and turned his attention towards Lexi.
"Well, dear wife, I'm glad you finally realized I'm not the one for you. I've been trying to show you for a long time that this marriage isn't going to work, but you were too stubborn to see it. It's been a struggle to put up with you and your whining. It's always been about you and what you want. I can't stand it anymore."
"What?"
"You heard me. I'm done pretending to love you. Now that you've seen who truly owns my heart, the woman who understands me and can satisfy my needs, there's no need for me to sugarcoat things."
Lexi's knees turned weak, her eyes blazed with terror as Leo continued, "I'll keep the marriage for appearances' sake. I won't divorce you and make you a laughing stock, nor would I pull out my investments from your family's company now that things are shaky."
As if that wasn't terrible enough, Leo added with a dirty smile playing on his lips as he bridged the gap between them. "However, you have no choice but to allow this. I'll keep seeing Vera and this," he glanced back at Vera and then at her, "will continue."
Lexi blinked. Did her ears hear correctly?
Not only did he cheat on her, but he wanted her to accept his adultery and live like nothing happened?!
"Are you seriously doing this to me for this... this... slut?"
"Hey!" Vera yelled, infuriated.
"Shut up! You're not welcome..." Lexi barely finished her retort when Leonard's palm connected with her cheek, turning her head to the side.
A sharp ringing coursed through her brain. Lexi lifted her eyes in time to see the condescending smirk on Vera's face as the latter scoffed and turned her attention back to her lover.
"Did you not hear me? I said she and I will continue, and you will accept it, or I will ruin your family!" he thundered.
Lexi shook her head. No way in hell was she going to give in to him.
"You'll do no such thing, Leo."
"Try me and see. I have your family's weakness in my hands. Think of their reputation before you say another word. Think of your mother."
Fear, pain, and hatred all threatened to consume Lexi all at once. It wasn't supposed to be this way.
They were a happy family. Her family...
Right before her eyes, Vera walked up to Leo, snaking her arm around his waist. "Darling, don't be too harsh. She's gonna cry."
Lexi gulped.
'Is this how little I meant to him? Why did he marry me if he didn't even want to be with me?' She didn't know what to think or feel anymore.
Amidst her numbness, her disgust was clear in her ocean-blue eyes, but the last thing she wanted was for them to see her weep.
Without saying anything, she turned around and walked away, her eyes glazed over, not registering where her feet were taking her.
She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream, confront him further, and break things, but she didn't.
She couldn't.
Not with her family in the middle.
She had recently discovered that her family, one of the well-known families in the city, was drowning in debt because her father had gotten drunk and gambled so much away.
To make matters worse, he began evading taxes from the government. All of which, if exposed, would bring them to ruin.
She discovered this a week ago when she went to visit her father and overheard him discuss it with Leonard's father.
Then the latter promised to help and not disclose anything, but now, she knew that help came with a price.
Lexi kept walking until she found herself outside the mansion, standing in front of her car.
Without a word, she got in and started the engine, pulling out of the driveway and onto the street.
She needed to get out of there—get away from the pain and the betrayal.
As she drove, Lexi felt a numbness wash over her. She didn't know where she was going, she just knew she had to keep moving. She ended up at a bar on the outskirts of town—a place she had never been before.
She sat down at the bar and ordered a drink, her eyes scanning the room. It was dimly lit, with only a few patrons scattered about.
Lexi felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was good. She couldn't afford for anyone to recognize her. She could lose herself here, forget about her trouble.
That's when she saw her. A beautiful brunette with piercing green eyes and a charming smile. She was sitting at the end of the bar, sipping a drink and staring at Lexi with interest.
Lexi felt a flutter in her chest. She hadn't expected to be attracted to anyone, especially not now. But there was something about this woman that drew her in.
Rather than conversing, she downed her drink and ordered another. She had no idea how much time had passed, but soon she was feeling the effects of the alcohol. She was a lightweight, and her tolerance was low.
Lexi leaned forward on the bar, her head resting on her hands. She was alone, and that was how she liked it. She didn't want to talk to anyone.
Suddenly, she felt a presence next to her. She didn't bother looking up.
"Can I buy you a drink?" the best voice she'd ever heard asked.
"I've already had too many." Lexi sighed.
"Me too, but it never hurts to have one more," the person replied with a chuckle.
"I guess not," Lexi responded, not looking up. She tipped her chin towards the stool closest to her, and the lady took her seat.
"Hi, I'm Jax." Lexi turned her head to the side and lifted her eyes.
Puffy eyes stared back at Jax. For some reason, it stung her, and Jax clenched her fist.
"Tell me, which insufferable bastard made a brilliant, beautiful lady like you cry?"