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01: the one whose heart was broken

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song: Why

artist(s): Shawn Mendes

PERHAPS SHE WAS naive.

Perhaps the warning signs and implications were there all along. The clues of which would lead to an earlier discovery just a hair's breadth away from being found. Maybe if she'd paid closer attention to his tight smiles and his tendency to evade her gaze after a few seconds, she'd have noticed before.

Maybe if her stupid heart hadn't trusted him so wholly, she wouldn't find herself here.

Athena buried her face into her hands, pressing the heels of her palms firmly into her shut eyes as though to erase what she'd seen. It might've been idiotic. A tad pathetic to break down into herself like this inside her car at a local shopping mart parking lot, but given her situation, she supposes no one could blame her.

It's not everyday you come home to find your husband between another woman's legs.

Athena lets out a shuddering sob, tears beginning to pool behind her eyelids. The pressure on her chest made it hard to breathe. It felt like she was suffocating.

Choking on her misery while those damned memories laughed at her.

The images just won't stop coming back. The look of horror on Alexander's face at being caught, nor the shame on Alissa's expression kept haunting her. Those expressions mock her. They taunt her for her obliviousness. The ignorance to whatever was happening behind her back brought her blood to a boil.

She tries to tighten her shut eyes, to press her palms harder just to forcibly stop the tears, but it's no use.

They just kept coming.

Relentless.

Unyielding.

And so infuriatingly hot even when every part of her body felt cold.

"Fuck- How could he? Why-"

Athena's voice cracks as she shakes her head, refusing to try and make sense of what he's done. She won't justify his reasons. She won't try to understand them. There's absolutely no reason good enough to betray her like this. There's no justification for this kind of hurt. She won't sit here and try to list his excuses for him.

Because that's all they were.

Excuses.

What kind of person does this?

What kind of husband does this?

The man she'd sworn herself to has no reason to be caught up in this- this affair with another woman. The very same woman she'd always felt lingering insecurity over.

The woman Xander always told her was of the past, and you're my life now, Thena. My present and future. Only you. I promise.

Some promise.

She thinks bitterly.

Past?

How in the world was she his past when he was with her today, and since God knows when? How could he do this to her? The man she married wasn't the kind of man who could lie to her face, kiss her as if he wasn't treading on the delicate balance of his lies. He wasn't the kind of man who could do something like this. Not to anyone. Not to her.

But he did,

The vicious part of her subconscious tells her.

He did. He had lied to her face. He had been playing her like a fiddle. And up until today, she fell for it.

Regardless of what she thought of him, Xander had readily destroyed their marriage, their bond, their promises-- all of it.

What had she done to deserve this?

How was this any fair?

"Fucking asshole-"

Athena sucks in a shaky breath and vigorously rubs at her face. Her skin felt raw. Red and stinging from how hard she dragged her hands over it. The tears she'd tried to stop run freely down her cheeks but she doesn't take much care in them anymore. What was the point? They weren't going to stop no matter how much she tried to do something about it.

She's slumped in her seat, head hanging low as she tries to calm herself.

It was insulting.

The humiliation and foolishness she felt when she found out. The way she found out.

She'd come home earlier today from the studio. A bad migraine had made it near impossible to focus on the shoot, so her manager cancelled the last job lined up for the day while she was ahead so she could rest at home. She'd managed to pull through before calling it quits. She tried calling Xander, to let him know she was coming home but each call she made went straight to voicemail.

She thought he was busy with a meeting. Athena knew there was a new partnership with a budding electronic's company under-wraps. Xander had told her how important this new deal was, and how swamped he was with paperwork. So naturally, she thought nothing of it. She thought nothing of his frequent phone calls and late arrival from work.

She knows better now, of course.

He was busy. Only, it wasn't over data or stocks. It was about trying to get away with infidelity.

The second she'd stepped foot into their house and saw black heels that didn't belong to her on the shoe rack near the door, her heart had dropped. That terrible, silver of dread that came over her had began to creep through her body until it spread all over her like some incurable disease.

The evidence of something going on without her knowledge stared her in the face. It was impossible to ignore.

From that point on, everything was set into motion. Athena had trembled as she made her way toward their room. For a moment she was tempted. She was so very tempted to call out, to let him and the undeniable presence of another woman know that she was there. To give him time to hide his mistress away and act as though he was alone. For that split second of stupidity, she felt the desperation for normalcy.

Because she knew that everything would change when she walked through that door. It was inevitable.

But just as quickly as that hateful thought came, she shut it down.

She was better than that. She was not going to let herself be played like a fool any longer. No matter how much it pained her, she would get through this.

So Athena made her way up the stairs quietly. Even when the sound of something thumping against the wall made itself known, she trudged on. She shouldered the beginning of unimaginable heartbreak and kept going because she needed to see this.

She needed to witness her husband betray her just so she could remind herself that he hadn't hesitated.

That Xander hadn't second-guessed his decision to bring another woman back to their house, to their bed while she was at work and fucked her there.

She needed to see, with her own two eyes, her husband cheat on her just so she won't ever be tempted to take him back should he try and make amends.

She'll remember this moment. She'll remember his moans, her chants for more and the way he so easily gave in to her demands. Athena will sear this moment into her head so she won't ever forget the way Xander had betrayed her.

Athena may have been blind-sighted, but she was not going to give him another chance.

Reality had never been more cruel than when she stepped into the room.

She'd flirted with the idea that surely the other woman was some nameless face she never met. A hookup from some dingy bar he brought home. Athena was so certain Xander couldn't have been with someone she knew. That would've been a step further of the treachery and disloyalty he's shown thus far.

The bedroom door was left unlocked and so she hadn't struggled to push it open soundlessly. Her heart ached. The moans of pleasure and the squeaking of the bed grated her ears. She could hear her heart pounding.

The second she looked to their bed, her husband on top of another woman with her long legs wrapped around his bare waist, Athena caught a glimpse of dark hair sprawled over their sheets.

The piercing stab that speared through her heart was unmeasurable. All the lingering hope -hope she refused to admit was there- that she misunderstood something was dashed out.

Because there, with her pretty dark hair and pretty green eyes was Alissa Myers.

The first woman Xander had loved.

The woman his friends had said was "the one that got away" during one of their drunken stupurs. The woman who'd run off on Xander six years ago at 19.

Alissa Myers was the only woman that had made Athena wary and insecure over her part in Xander's life. An insecurity Xander was always so quick to soothe over and put to rest because she was his past. Not his present. Not his future.

It was when she made that startlingly recognition did Alissa look over Xander's shoulder and see her standing there. She'd screamed, yanking on the covers to hide her modesty while Xander quickly whirled around to see what alarmed his lover.

Dark eyes met hazel.

And oh did they burn.

Xander's face had fallen, his mouth ajar as he quickly pulled away from Alissa. It was so disgusting. It was revolting to smell the evidence of their infidelity waft through the air and see the way his cock had slipped out of her.

It was worse when he started to stutter out explanations and pointless apologies of I'm so sorry, Athena. I- I can explain. I swear-

She hadn't let him finish his sentence. The crack of her hand against his cheek had stopped any other lie from slipping past those traitorous lips. She ignored the way Alissa had gasped, clutching the sheets against her chest. Athena hadn't so much as looked at her since recognizing her.

"You're disgusting. You're a disgusting, lying piece of shit and I want you out of here. I want you and that woman out of my house by the time I get back. I can't even look at you right now. You are absolute scum, Xander. Fuck you and fuck her too. Fuck both of you."

Later on when her head cleared, Athena would commend herself for keeping up such a brave facade. No matter how much it fucking hurt to see him cheat on her, she kept her head held high all the way out the door and out the house until she returned to the safety of her car.

There she finally broke loose.

All the pain and heartache had finally caught up to her as she pulled from the driveway, just in time to see Xander half naked rushing out the house to stop her.

She hadn't glanced his way once.

And now, miles away from home, she sat parked at a local shopping mart.

Hurt.

Broken.

But still so alive to feel it all.

The blaring ring of her phone broke her from her thoughts. She'd let the last ten or so calls go when she read the caller ID to see it was Xander. Athena had no intention of speaking to him just yet. Not ever if she could've helped it.

That won't be possible though.

She still needs him to sign the divorce papers she already knows she's going to file for.

Glancing at the screen, her heart gave a little squeeze. This time, it wasn't her husband, it was her best friend calling her. A wave of something came over her. Was it relief? Relief that she didn't have to ignore Xander's calls again? The ringtone had never been so loud and tempting than when his calls would go through.

Did she feel disappointment? Disappointment because some vindictive part of her wanted him to be desperate and firm in trying to reach out to her? She wanted him hurt and distressed. It didn't matter what that said about her. So what if she was spiteful? He hurt her in a way no one ever did before.

Athena sniffled, reaching over to grab her phone and slid her thumb across the screen. She brought her phone to her ear,

"Hello?"

"Thena?

Jay let out a breath of relief,

"Thena, Oh my God, what's going on? Xander called me freaking out about you refusing to answer your phone. Are you alright? Did something happen? Do you need me to come get you?"

Her lips trembled at his tone.

Fucking hell.

She was a right mess.

"H-he cheated on me, Jay. Xander fucking cheated on me. After two years of marriage he-"

She cries, her hand reaching up to cover her face. The other hand held onto the phone with a grip so tight she could've cracked the screen.

"What?"

There's a pause.

"THAT FUCKING DICK. WHAT THE FUCK, THENA. YOU'RE NOT STAYING WITH THAT PRICK. FUCK HIM. I'M COMING TO GET YOU. WHERE ARE YOU? FUCK THIS-"

She can hear rustling on his side, then a thud and a string of obscenities buried in a harsh hiss,

"Fucking fuck, that hurt like a bitch. Shit. Ashley, cancel the other appointments for today. Reschedule for tomorrow. Throw in free headshots at no extra cost. Fuckin' hell, just discount their original appointment fifty off if they still complain."

Another pause.

"I don't care about Yelp reviews right now. Yeah, I said it!  Just reschedule them. Refund them if they refuse."

Even with the absolute horror of today, she couldn't help the laugh that slipped from her. Jay was as sweet as he was chaotic.

"You don't have to get me you know."

Athena tells him quietly.

"I'm in my car, parked at some supermarket. I wasn't planning on coming hom- to the house, anyway. I'm just gonna check in some hotel or something. I'll be fine... just- just processing I guess."

She didn't have the confidence to ask him if she could stay over at his. Jay lived with his fiancé, Hannah, and she felt like she'd be a burden by staying there, even for a few days. Hannah wouldn't mind. Athena knew that, but still, she couldn't help feeling bad at the thought.

"Nope. No way. You're not staying at a hotel, you're staying with me and Han."

"Jay-"

"No, Thena. Why waste money on a hotel when you can stay with us?"

"I feel bad."

She mumbles honestly,

"You can't stop me from checking into a hotel anyway..."

It's a half-hearted attempt of dissuading him. Athena knows it won't work. She's known Jay long enough to know he'll persist.

He sighs into the phone,

"I know I can't. But you shouldn't be alone right now. Let me help you, Thena. Tell me where you are? Please? "

She can hear the sound of a door opening and closing at his end. The familiar click of a seatbelt is the next thing she hears.

Athena gnaws on her bottom lip, considering his words. Her fingers curled around the hem of her skirt in anxiousness. He has a point. She's not in any place to be alone right now. The minute she's alone in bed, warring thoughts will keep her up and possibly stay that way until sunrise. Being alone would be disastrous. In more ways than one.

Finally, she swallows down her pride.

"You don't need to come get me,"

She can feel Jay getting reared up to argue so she quickly adds,

"I'll meet you at your house instead. At the front."

The breath he releases let's her know he's relieved at her compliance,

"Okay, I-I'll meet you there. Be careful, alright? Don't get lost in your thoughts while driving. The last thing you need right now is to get in an accident."

Against the hollowness of her heart, Athena allows herself a small smile.

"I will. Thanks, Jay."

"Of course, Thena. I've got you. Always."

***

When Athena pulled up to Jay's driveway, the brunette was already there waiting for her. He was leaning against his car, fingers tapping away on his phone in his hands when he noticed her approaching.

He hadn't hesitated to put his phone away, slipping it into his back pocket as he waited for her to park her car beside his. He walked over to the drivers side and patiently stood there until her door opened and she stepped out.

Athena looked terrible.

Her hazel eyes were swollen and bloodshot, cheeks and nose dusted a vibrant red with tears marks trailing down to her chin. Her hair was a mess like she'd tugged on the dark tresses in frustration or ran her hands through them far too many times. But it's not her ragged appearance that makes him still.

It's the way her face was void of emotion while she kept her eyes pinned on the ground.

It felt like an eternity when she finally looked up at him. They held one another's eyes for a fraction of a second before she broke into a cry and his arms wound around her.

"Oh, Thena."

He whispered, tightening his arms around her shoulders.

"You're gonna be alright. You hear me? You'll be okay."

The dark haired woman flung her arms around his waist, fingers digging into the back of his shirt. Jay felt something warm and wet seep into the fabric over his chest. His heart broke for her. The girl who was his sister in everything but blood. To feel her shaking so hard in his arms broke something inside him.

Mindlessly, he ran his hand over her hair,

"Fuck him. Seriously. He doesn't deserve you. The asshole doesn't deserve your tears."

She doesn't respond to him for some time, but that doesn't stop him from whispering reassurances.

"Hannah knows you're staying with us. I didn't tell her anything but that you needed some time here. You'll be alright, Sweetheart. You'll see. You don't need him. You never did. He fucked up the best thing he had in life."

Athena's trembling calmed down but the little tremors of her fingers were still there.

"It was Alissa."

She whispered hoarsely,

"It wasn't just some- some random fuck, Jay. It was Alissa."

Jay let out a sharp cuss but said little else. The photographer knew all about Alissa Myers. He'd known she was a constant point of insecurity for Athena throughout their dating period. But like Athena, he believed Xander when the little shit told her Alissa was nothing more than a passing memory.

"He cheated on me with the same girl I always worried about. The girl he always told me meant nothing to him anymore."

Athena pulled from his chest to wipe at her face. Her brows furrowed.

"He's been seeing the first girl he loved behind my back."

Her eyes met his and the devastation in them is clear,

"This wasn't a meaningless fling. There's feelings involved. There has to be."

And what can Jay say to that?

That she was wrong? Jay wasn't one to lie. Not to Athena at the very least. And the woman knows this-- she knows that and so when Jay doesn't respond, the fate of her marriage is sealed for good.

She'd known she'd file for a divorce when she discovered his infidelity, but acknowledging that her husband was still in love with another woman whilst married to her only cemented the fact. Accepting the truth, no matter how bitter and vile it was, only set their fate into stone.

"What are you going to do?"

Jay asks her.

Athena shut her eyes and took in a deep breath. The answer was obvious.

"What else can I do?"

She gives him a small smile that looked far too pained to be genuine,

"I'm going to leave him."

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a/n: Originally in "broken promises" Alissa was his secretary and she was only a quick fùck. I changed their relationship just to really drive the point of his infidelity. It wasn't just physical cheating, it was emotional.