Karen POV

The chandelier cast a soft glow across the marble floor. I tightened my grip on my champagne glass , pretending my heartbeat wasn’t thundering in my ears. It's my husband’s thirtieth birthday. I have spent six weeks planning the perfect celebration.

I held my breath when Noel stopped at the doorway, his sunglass lowered to the bridge of his nose, his gaze swept the room before settling on the cake at the centre.

The black tailored suit hugged his frame. His jet-black hair pulled back neatly as he strode into the room, holding his briefcase.

Confetti rained through the air as everybody shouted,

Surprise!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Hey, everyone.” He brushed off confetti and kept walking.

My smile faded. The “happy birthday” stuck in my throat as he walked past me like I wasn't there. He was warm to everyone and somehow a stranger to me. This night was supposed to end with laughter. A week ago, my pregnancy strip tested positive. After confirming it with my doctor, I was hoping to share the good news with my husband after the dinner party.

“Noel, make a wish,” Debbie, my sister-in-law, chirped in, breaking the tension. God, I suck in a slow breath. I feel the way I have always felt. Unloved, unseen .

He blew out the candle on the cake, a flicker of annoyance cutting across his face. His wish? Probably to get rid of me. Over the years, I have memorized every inch of his expression—his tight-lipped smile, his rigid body posture, the way his eyes hardened around me. He didn’t want to be here; his body language said it all.

“Cheers to more years of greatness!” Debbie squealed in excitement. Everybody raised their glasses to the toast before taking a sip. Without a word, Noel grabbed a bottle of wine. His cold gaze cut through me as he walked over to the bar in the living room.

My brain started to put things together—his unplanned business trips, the floral perfume I smelled from him, all the small signs I ignored screaming back to me. He’s seeing another woman. Not one of his numerous flings; this one was different he was in love with this new woman. Forcing a smile at my guests, I took a long sip of my drink. Thankfully, the loud music drown my unease.

After four years with him, I convinced myself that I was used to his coldness, but I'm living in denial. It broke me each time he treats me like I'm invisible. This birthday party was my last attempt to be seen.

I have to speak with him, I fumed. I'm fed up with the silent treatment, the cold shoulder, the humiliation—I couldn't take it any more . I made my way toward the living room bar, where he was lounged on the leather sofa.

“Hey, are you okay?” My voice came out softer than I intended. I wanted to yell at him for embarrassing me.

“I'm good,” he replied flatly. His eyes kept drifting to every corner of the room except me.

“You sure? You have been acting strange this evening—”

“Not now, Karen,” he cut me off sharply. “It's my birthday, remember?”

He had always dismissed my feelings and accused me of nagging whenever I tried to express myself, but today I won’t relent.

“Your birthday?” I laughed bitterly. “The one I planned for weeks, and you can’t even look at me? You know we can talk about_”

“I have nothing to talk about, Karen.” The coldness in his eyes clenched my heart painfully.

“Really? You embarrassed me in front of everyone. You made me look like a fool, Noel,” I snapped, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

“Oh great, here comes the guilt trip.” He sneered, a flash of irritation passing over his eyes. “I don't need any of this. I want a quiet, simple birthday But I guess you're too slow to get that.”

“What?” I breathed, my eyes widening in disbelief. I stumbled a step backward. My eyes scanned through the decor, the giant cake, perfect buffet , his favorite wine selection and a neatly packaged gifts.

I had always been the girl who loved loudly. It was this very trait that had once drawn him to me.

“Is there another woman?” I whispered, wiping a tear that leaked out at the corner of my eye. He stepped closer, his icy glare locking unto mine.

“I'm filing for a divorce.”

My body froze. It has to be a joke, but when my eyes met his burning glare, I knew it wasn't. He glanced around the room to be sure no one was within earshot.

“You want honesty? Fine. You were never the point, Karen. Your father’s signature was.”

“Our marriage has always been a business move,” he continued, his voice simmering with resentment. “I will contact my lawyer.”

Time stood still. My feet stayed rooted to the floor. A divorce? My glass slipped from my hand and shattered against the floor. He brushed past me before I could recover from the shock. I stumbled, my nails digging into the edge of the table to hold myself.

“Karen! You have been standing here for ages”. My mother in law voice jerked me back to reality. I turned to met her brown eyes fixed on me. Her eyes held no warmth, just as the first day I met her.

“Mom…” , I paused, unsure whether to tell her.

“Where's Noel?” she cut in.

“He needs to give vote of thanks and we have a big announcement to make,” she snapped impatiently. I knew she hated me, even after sacrificing everything to be a dutiful wife to her son.

I swallowed hard, tucking a curl behind my ear. My throat burned. The weight of the pain I was feeling pressed against my body but the event had to go on.

My teary eyes scanned through the busy room; I couldn't find Noel. . Every marriage had a rocky moments . I told myself, holding on to my delusion. But did he have to threaten to divorce?

“Why are you still standing there like a statue? Go and find him!” Her high-pitched angry voice startled me.

I dabbed my watery eyes with a serviette and pushed through the crowded living room. My last conversation with Noel burned through my mind. I lifted the hem of my gown and climbed the stairs. Noel would be in our bedroom, sober after drinking and regretting uttering such words to me.

“Oh… uhmmm, harder!”

A woman breathy moans spilled out from our bedroom, followed by a deep grunts of a man lost in pleasure.

The moans… the pleasurable groans of a man that I'm familiar with.

I halted my steps, my fingers tightening around the hem of my dress.

“Noel, right there—yes!” The woman screamed in pleasure.

A knot twisted in my gut,

The moans grew louder, the slapping sounds of flesh slamming into each other sending goosebumps down my body.

My palms grew clammy as I grabbed the doorknob, my pulse roaring in my ear. I pushed the door open.

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