Chapter 1 One Day I Was Happy

• One day, I was happy.
• Laurie Ston.
• I had recently left work. I spend the mornings and half the afternoons at a clothing store. My salary isn't much, but I manage to pay a few bills.
• When I arrived at the apartment where I live with Josh, my fiancé, I sat down on the sofa.
• I was tired. I took off my sneakers and took a deep breath, running my hand through my hair.
• I got up and decided to take a shower. I wanted to rest a bit.
• I put on a black dress, a little tight on the thighs and with a discreet neckline. I wanted to impress my fiancé.
• I left my hair loose, applied gloss to my lips, and wore a light coat of make-up. I looked beautiful.
• Tonight was going to be exceptional. Josh had just been promoted to manager of the transport company where he had worked since we met. I was happy because this job made him happy, and even though he could reach higher, he had only had his eyes on this job for three years and dreamed of becoming a supervisor one day. So management was a big step for him.
• I was determined to make that evening a more than special occasion for him.
• I quickly made our dinner with his favorite food and candles all over the living room. I put on some romantic music; I was going to his company.
• I left the house upbeat, smiling, and when I got to the parking lot, I got into the car and sped off to the company.
• The owner of the company was my friend, Raissa, and we had met because of Josh. We'd always been to her house on other occasions, parties, and celebrations, so we got on really well. I was already known in the company, so the doorman let me in without any problem.
• I decided to go to his office as his phone was either out of range or switched off. So I couldn't let him know I was outside. When I arrived at the building, I noticed that the lights were already dim and most of the staff had left. I found it strange that he was still there, but I guessed that his position required him to work longer, which was quite normal.
• I continued quietly to his office so as not to disturb whatever he was concentrating on.
• I arrived at his office door, and before I could open it, I heard a strange sound.
• I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Without thinking, I turned the handle slowly, opening the door just a little, and what I saw next was like a punch in the stomach. There, right before my eyes, Josh was having sex with his boss.
• Yes, she was lying under his desk, while my fiancé was thrusting in and out of her with the greatest pleasure in the world.
• Her moans repulsed me. My legs wobbled, my body was paralyzed, and my heart broke into a thousand pieces.
• I couldn't believe what Josh was doing.
• I had to put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from making a fuss at that moment.
• My eyes were locked on the scene, of him thrusting into her deeper and deeper, while he and Raissa moaned. Josh was slapping her ass, smiling with pleasure.
• I wanted to scream, to confront them with all my pain and anger, but the words got lost in a knot in my throat. Silent tears streamed down my face as I tried to process that betrayal. I didn't say a word; I just bit my tongue and closed the door.
• I just walked out quietly, my heart broken.
• I made my way home in a mixture of disbelief and anguish. The room I had lovingly decorated now seemed to hide the rubble of what I thought we had built together.
• At that moment, I felt lost, betrayed, and abandoned. Angry at how blind I had been for not realizing that this was happening. After what I saw, it sounded obvious to me, like a blindfold falling before our eyes, bringing back a flood of memories that put our ability to see rationally to the test.
• Why was the owner of the company inviting my fiancé to dinners and parties? He was just an employee.
• My heart seemed to break into little pieces, and I could hear each little piece falling to the ground. Of course, he'd been promoted; I just couldn't imagine when he spoke with shining eyes about the company that his goal was to become the owner one day.
• He was a cheating, dirty... son of a bitch.
• ''That asshole, he betrayed me, broke my heart, broke up with me.'' I let go, angry.
• I screamed, Now I could... I pulled hard on my hair, feeling the pain tear at my heart.
• It hurt; it was too much for me. In the midst of crying, I picked up my suitcase and began to pack my things; there wasn't much.
• I was going to take everything I'd bought, so I started packing. I was leaving today.
• ''You idiot, how could you not notice?'' I whispered, with tears streaming down my face.