Written by user AKindMind628

As a young girl, I had heard many tales in my household about infidelity, as it turned out to be the saving grace of my parent's previously strained and failing marriage. As we gathered around the fireplace, many a wintry night, they had eagerly and emphatically educated me with stories of their dramatic and epic love, and one particular expression had been imprinted time and time again in my mind, a now overly familiar statement which I thought of daily in my current life of adulthood.

Chastity will eventually be broken, but the strength of a reciprocated love is everlasting.

Those simple words hadn't meant much to me at the time. I, like any other naive and love-seeking teen, had merely waved away my parent's exaggerated romantic tale, and the blurred expression of many different meanings hadn't entered my mind and dreams for many years.

Three days ago was when the expression started to have an impact.

I sighed deeply as I glanced at the traffic that ensured a lengthy ride back to the eastern section of the borough. It wasn't easy, living in New York City. The hordes of people who were eager to get to their children and spouses were all as impatient as I was, for getting home and having a good night's sleep. I envied them greatly, the other travelers who donned winter coats and jackets that humbly shielded them from the wintry chill of the northeastern fall. I wasn't jealous of their attire, more of the fact that they hadn't a care in the world, confirmed by their enigmatic, ignorant smiles which didn't display a hint of dissatisfaction or brooding. Their euphoria only added to my restlessness, and the yearning to return to my husband.

Uncertainty was madness.

I could attest to this, after the grueling day I'd had. The disheartening news that had been delivered to me earlier, only affirmed the fact that the expression, 'No news is good news' was completely false.

The hell of unknown, the sadistic purgatory of grey blurred lines that strayed between truth and lies embraced me wholeheartedly, causing my mind to develop a certain despondency that could only be cured when I finally questioned him.

It was lucid insanity.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the rear view mirror that sat at the front of the metro bus. My pale skin looked white as a cotton sheet. My eyes, a darkened emerald shade, looked shady and broken, only displaying my failed attempt at concealing my current sentiment. My long hair, which normally appeared feathery and soft, the color of a dark raven, was a now a frizzed haze around me, due to the windchill of the outdoors. My lips were rough due to my anxious habit of biting, now an unsightly, ugly specimen to behold. I looked like only a shadow of the oblivious, content woman I'd been, a mere twelve hours before.

I averted my eyes from my frazzled image and stared gloomily at the bleak skies that promised a miserable evening with repetitive fits of loud, crackling thunder. I fought back a secretive smile at the fact that the outdoors had unintentionally discerned my dismay, for it was perfectly reflected in the clouds that sauntered across the sky in smooth, fast paced strokes. Soon, though, the slight joy evaporated, and I was again filled with an aching sense of woe.

I bit my lip to calm myself down. Getting worked up before I even saw him would solve nothing.

The him, who I was referring to was my husband, Nate Adams. With his boyish looks and inimitable charm, he was the unusual and fetching young heartthrob amongst the otherwise cruel and heartless kings of corporate world, making both him an immensely desirable man, and me a very lucky woman to have been the one he chose to marry. We had known each other most of our lives, since we'd grown up in the same neighborhood, one of the quieter and less complicated suburbs of the New York State. We'd gone through middle and high school as the best of friends, and attended same university, before our feelings overwhelmed us and we'd confessed our love for one another in a secret, undeniably romantic setting. Soon after, while we were still in school, we eloped, and emerged into the business world as the perfect fairy tale couple.

But of course, other things had gone on behind the scenes.

Today was the third time in an equal amount of days that I'd had a woman accost me at my job, arrogantly informing me that they'd had certain...pleasurable adventures with my husband. The first two were unknowns, which only left me unperturbed and slightly amused at the fact that they didn't have any verifications that anything of what they claimed was even remotely true. I simply, but quite rudely, sent them scurrying off with a few unkind words, and without taking anything they said to heart.

But today, this was a woman I'd known.

Georgina Saunders was the leggy, exceedingly voluptuous woman who had confidently approached me and unashamedly shared her explicit adventures with my husband. She used to be a dear friend of mine, back in college. We'd all attended Columbia and had loads of memorable evenings together, Nate and I, with our particular charm and sweetness, and Georgina with her shrewdness and humor. We had always attracted attention at the school because we were all passionate about our studies, and had looks on the side.

So what happened? We simply grew apart in the short few years that it had been since we graduated.

It became increasingly difficult for us to relate to each other. Nate and I had excelled at our passions, becoming busy and successful in the workforce while our friend Georgina had become less interested and dedicated, and had eventually resorted to alcohol, as well as lecherous, vile men to dull the reality of her descent from success. She would drink herself to excess, have a man over, and stay unconscious until the late morning after, and repeat the whole process again and again. I'd tried several times to stop her, and even tried to help her get a job, but she had refused and constantly pushed me away until I decided that my attempts were futile, and that I would leave her alone. It wouldn't have surprised me all that much if the temptress had managed to lure my husband, who'd always been particularly flirty with her, into her seductive, yet very beautiful claws.

I hoped that she still had a shred of the respectable woman she'd once been in her, but even if she had lost it, I still wouldn't label her a vulgar word such as a 'whore' or a 'slut'. Why? Because that wasn't who she was. She was a tough person, who'd been given a rougher time than most others, and I still had a tiny bit of hope that we might end up on friendly terms again, sometime in the future. If she wanted to live the night life? Fine. But she'd acted downright malicious when she'd confronted me, making my body explode with disheartening nerves and was the curvaceous reason why I was so anxious to face my husband, in hopes that this was yet another pathetic lie and call for attention.

The bus unsettlingly creaked to a stop and I jerked my head up to observe my surroundings and see if it was the right stop. It was. Downcast, I tried to lift my spirits as I grabbed my worn purse of distressed leather and even managed to shoot a warm smile to the kind driver, Emily, before exiting the bus and sighing at the sight of my apartment building.

I trudged up the steps that led to the seventy floor complex which was aptly named Greyson Luxury Apartments. I gave a slight nod to the older doorman, Alfred, who gave me a concerned expression in return as he held the large glass door open for me to step through. In the four years I'd lived there, he and I had become quite close, and he always knew if something was bothering me. Unspeaking, I merely shook my head sadly at the blonde, before stepping into the glass elevator that led up to the apartment.

I shakily typed the numbers in the keypad that would allow my access to the penthouse and took a deep breath as I felt the elevator slowly lift me up.

Fascinating, that I was being elevated towards the skies while my heart had dropped deep into the darkest pits of Hell.

Ding!

My heart fluttered again with uncomfortable nerves, and I angrily forced my ambivalent and anxious feelings away. What good was a wife who didn't completely trust her husband? Every relationship should be built on trust, as a foundation.

I stepped out of the elevator and into the lush apartment, glancing warily around my home, which was the epitome of juxtaposition, for Nate enjoyed the emotionless crispness of modernity, and I was more of a romantic, classical being. This alone had led to an abundance of arguments when we had first begun discussing plans for the interior design. Ultimately, we'd come to a compromise, resulting in an edgy apartment which miraculously hadn't turned out horribly. Overall, it had been quite the challenge to work with the already ultra-modern design of the apartment, but sooner or later I'd started discovering places that could be accentuated by the simplicity of classicality. I had been the one to propose the black-and-white tilted marble floor, and the grand piano that livened the foyer. As well as the oriental carpets and cushions that added a much needed dash of color to the grey velvet lounge. The best features, however, were the few original Renaissance paintings I had fortunately stumbled upon during a trip to Europe. I had placed them strategically around the home, which contrasted brilliantly with the glass walls, unnecessary technological advances, and overall futuristic features that Nate had proposed.

I briskly walked through the overly large and unnervingly quiet dwelling and stepped prudently into the master bedroom, quickly checking to see if Nate was already waiting for me, with the usual heart melting smile upon his lips. He wasn't. Good. I wasn't quite ready to confront him until we had dinner.

I turned to our large walk-in closet, strolling past his alluring somber suits and ties, until I reached the selection of opulent designer cocktail dresses I only ever wore to his company's formal dining functions. My best friend, Julia, once I'd told her about my worries, had advised me to wear a 'smoking' outfit, to make him regret if he ever had cheated on me in the first place.

And if he hadn't, well the result would be just as good.

I absentmindedly flipped through the dresses like files until a short green satin one that was sure to bring out my eyes caught my attention. I inspected it as a lawyer would of an incriminating piece of evidence in a murder case and noticed that the flimsy satin would cling to my modest curves, making them look as sleek and smooth as a Porsche, and would certainly tempt Nate to the sweet brink of tortuous desire, which was an huge factor of my plan. Satisfied with my choice,I picked up the pair of matching unfeasibly high heels and trudged to our bathroom. I peeled out of the constricting work skirt and blouse that I had originally worn, and put on the dress. I looked at the mirror and smirked before putting on the shoes and strolling out to the dining room where we ate every night. I had caught a glimpse of Xavier, our tidy butler, as I came in, and by the smell of it, he was preparing a hearty lasagna, a meal legends were made of.

I sat down at the head of the extensive, oval dining table which had been crafted out of a deep cherry wood, and drummed my fingers on the cool, smooth surface, trying desperately to calm the irregular beating of my heart. I couldn't allow myself to be overcome with emotion. For either doubting my husband or the rumor being true.

I glanced at the grandfather clock that stood distinctly on the other side of the room, unmissable next to the clear glass surroundings. It was nearly seven, and Nate wasn't home yet. Interesting, for he usually made it home before I did. I frowned to myself. Was that in any way related to the newfound information that had been presented to me earlier?

Just before I could get anymore worried he burst through the double doors, breathing heavily. While he attempted to catch his breath, I sat back and drank in the sight of my husband.

He had shiny dark hair which was identical to mine, though his was wavy like the ocean and fell unkempt into his eyes. He had stark grey eyes with a ring of lightning blue around the irises, and had always reminded me of thunderclouds and rain, but most of all, power. He had high, defined cheekbones and dimples that cut into his slim cheeks whenever he smiled. And his lips-the epitome of kissable lips, were supple, pink, and absolutely delicious. He currently wore a linen suit of light grey and an electric blue tie. I raised an eyebrow at his choice-anyone who knew him would know that it wasn't an accident.

"Hello, darling." He stared at me, spreading his lips into a tempting smirk."Like what you see?"

"Can't deny that." I said huskily. His eyes clouded to a darker shade of grey before he made his way over to me, agonizingly slowly. I stood as he approached, having full awareness of the affect that my outfit had on him. My choice was proven right when he pulled me into his chest and gave me a tender kiss on the lips, the kind that women always dreamed of. I sighed contentedly and he smirked knowingly at me. We'd been married for five years and I still never tired of his kisses.

"Did you deliberately do this to tease me?" He pulled back from the kiss, staring at me with his intensely loving eyes. I shyly smiled at him and nodded.

"I thought it would make you happy." I softly kissed his dark stubble, earning a satisfactory groan from him.

"Please, let's eat now before I lose control and take you right in this room." The grey of his eyes darkened to nearly black, while the blue morphed into navy. I playfully bit my lip and nodded again. He stepped away from me and I let out another sigh. The loss of the connection of our two bodies brought back my despair in full force. I would never be able to seriously confront him if he kept touching me.

"So," He called as he duly sat at the other end of long the table and tapped his long, sculpted fingers on the darkened wood. "How was work?"

"Good, as usual." I said softly to the table, unable to look at him without experiencing some guilt at feeling so precariously about him. I hoped that he wouldn't pick up on it. "How was your day?"

"Fine." He sounded distracted, but I couldn't quite tell because I refused to look into his disarming eyes. "Is everything alright?"

"Y-yeah." I muttered, looking at anywhere but him. I heard his chair scrape the floor as a warning that he was coming near as well as the solitary noise of the pounding of his dress shoes against the floor. I gulped in anticipation, and before I knew it, the edge of his black shoes were just in my line of vision, letting me know that it was time for the confrontation.

"Lily." He gently grasped my chin in his hand, and lifted it so I could meet his eyes, which were laced with concern and apprehension. "What happened?"

"Nothing I-" Unable to continue due to our proximity. I took a few steps back until I was a safe distance away from him. He frowned at my retreating figure.

"Lily?" He looked confused.

"I saw Georgina today." I forced myself to mutter. He froze at the sound of her name, making my heart clench with worry.

"And?" He sounded nervous. I took a deep breath to settle the sob in my throat.

"She said t-that you s-slept with her." I stammered as the words fell out of my mouth. I shut my eyes in anticipation. My brain wanted to see the image of my Nate looking at me with his jaw clenched, storming out of the room, wondering how I could have ever doubted him. I would run after him, crying my eyes out, and beg for forgiveness and compassion for being so stupid.

When I opened them again, I saw the complete opposite. He was looking at me with a mixture of guilt and concern in his eyes and face that made my heart constrict painfully. It was true. He didn't have to say it. He had cheated on me.

I was unaware that tears had been streaming down my face until I felt the warm, wet, saltiness at the tip of my lips. I licked the tear away and stared wide eyed at the man who I loved with my body and soul, wondering how it could have come to this.

"I-I cannot be-believe you." I spat through my trembling lips. It felt like a dagger straight to my heart, the fact that he'd been unfaithful to me. He sighed guiltily and took a wary step towards me, as if he were afraid that I would try to run from him.

Which I was considering in all honesty.

"Lily, I-" He started.

"Nate, no. You-you don't see how wrong that is?" I spluttered, my arms flailing in every direction, trying to understand how he could have betrayed me like that, in the cruelest of ways.

"Lily, please." He begged, stepping uncomfortably closer to me. We were now only a few feet apart, and it was clear from the determination in his eyes that he had every intention of not keeping me there.

"I-I can't look at you right now." Despite his intentness I shamefully turned my back to him, letting a harsh shudder run through my body. I was beyond humiliated that he had gone behind my back, with my greatest frenemy, the evil seductress Georgina. Brokenhearted, I swiftly began heading for our bedroom. "I need to leave. I can't stay here tonight."

"What?" His voice didn't sound broken anymore, and his footsteps sounded in my ears as he followed closely behind me. His tone sounded slightly sultry, but with an edge of vexation. Hearing the exasperation only heightened my own anger, and I picked up the pace in hopes to get to the room so I could slam the door in his face.

"You heard me." I spat out angrily. His hand roughly gripped my wrist and he then spun me around so I bumped into his firm chest. The smoldering vulgarity of his eyes made me feel slightly jumpy, but in a good way, which was precisely what I didn't want right now. "Nate, w-what are you doing?"

"Don't leave." He growled pleadingly. One of his strong arms snaked inconspicuously, but tightly around my waist while the other hand found the back of my head, holding it firmly in place. My arms had been down by my side and were now completely immobile while I was secured against his body. Looking directly into his eyes I saw nothing but desire in them- an unendurable lust.

"Nate, let me go." I struggled in his grip. As much as I craved the gentle caress of his delicate fingers, I couldn't handle it right now. He had cheated, and didn't deserve to be forgiven in an instant, after making such a fool of me.

"Why should I do that?" This time, his deep voice had acquired a very seductive edge. He pressed our bodies closer together and his lips softly and teasingly brushed my ear as he spoke the words to me. I whimpered.

"Nate, I'm serious, don't touch me!" I gritted my teeth, trying desperately to keep my resolve as I struggled violently in his strong arms. He ignored my protests and instead gently pushed me into the wall of the desolate hallway, so my escape was now impossible to achieve.

"You're my wife." He whispered lowly, yet sexually dangerously in my ear, making me furiously blush at finding his antics so alluring while I was still so angry with him.

"Nate, you cheated on me, you don't deserve to-" I was abruptly cut off when he forcibly kissed me, bruising my lips with his. I initially struggled against his touch, but he didn't back down and kept kissing me provocatively. He bit my lip, not enough to hurt but enough to make me gasp, and he took full advantage of this and slipped his snakelike tongue into my mouth.

I didn't want to respond to him.

But I did.

My anger floated far away, and I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him back, our mouths moving in a furious battle for dominance. He eventually won, and we broke away from each other, deeply out of breath. I shifted my eyes away from him and looked at the floor, burning with shame at being so weak at keeping my resolve.

"Don't leave me, baby." He purred in my ear. I swallowed and glanced up at him as he smiled and laid a tender kiss on my lips before walking away, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't cheated on me.

"Oh, and one more thing." He poked his head back into the hallway and gave me a swoon worthy smile. "I love you."

What was I going to do?