A Thrash becomes tyrant

Betrayal & Despair

I thought the night could not get worse. After the banquet, I dragged myself home, my shoulders aching, my head heavy.

My stomach was a tight knot of shame. Every laugh, every gentle gossip from the hall replayed in my mind, telling me I was a nobody. A joke.

I let out a gentle sigh the moment I walked in feeling all tired and worried out.

The house was quiet when I entered.

The light was on, everything seemed perfect, but then the air smelled… different. Sweet, sharp perfume lingered, the kind I didn’t recognize as mine. My heart thumped, and my gaze swept the sitting room fast. But there was nothing—nothing that could explain it.

Maybe I was imagining things. Maybe she had just sprayed it earlier. I set my keys on the table, trying to calm myself. But then I heard it.

A masculine voice gently coming from upstairs.

Our bedroom.

My stomach sank. I froze. My legs felt heavy. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to move. Each step toward the bedroom made my heart pound harder. I wanted to run, to scream, to disappear. But I couldn’t. I had to know.

I stopped at the slightly open door. I shouldn’t have looked. I knew I shouldn’t. But my eyes betrayed me.

And then I saw it.

Linda. My wife. My own wife. In bed. With another man. Not just flirting. Not just a kiss. Everything was there, I could smell the freshness of their intimacy right there in my own bed.

I froze. My mouth went dry. My chest burned. My knees weak. My hands shook. I could barely breathe. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to vanish.

I stepped back quietly, brushing the carpet. The creak was enough to make the man notice. He smirked. Linda looked up and saw me.

Her face didn’t show guilt. Not even a flicker. Just amusement. Pure, calculated amusement.

“Well, Daniel,” she said, her voice cold as ice, “I didn’t expect you home so soon. You should have waited a big longer at the party. Probably clear the empty chairs or the dishes. You know, something to keep you busy."

I couldn’t speak. My throat was tight. My words trapped. I wanted to shout, to demand why, to make her feel a fraction of my pain. But I couldn’t.

I could only stare at her in pain and hatred.

“You’re… you’re—” I tried, but the words wouldn't just come out.

“You’re nothing, Daniel,” she said, smiling. “You always were. Everyone knows it. Don’t pretend otherwise.”

The words hit me like a hammer. I felt my stomach twist. The man in the bed smirked, looking at me like I was invisible, like I didn’t exist.

I wanted to stay. I wanted to confront her. I wanted to tear her apart with my words. But I couldn’t. Not yet. Not now. Not when I felt so betrayed, so small.

But then, his next words startled me. It felt almost like I didn't hear him right.

“So… the contract,” the man whispered. “It’ll be yours if you just… marry me. Forget about him.”

My stomach dropped. My legs shook. I couldn’t believe my ears. Forget about me? Forget about us?

Linda laughed softly. “Of course. He’s… weak. Worthless. I’m tired of pretending. This is my chance to secure everything. The company, the deal… it’s finally mine. And you… you’re the key. Just a little more… and it’s done.”

I wanted to scream. I wanted to storm in and ruin them both. But I couldn’t. My body refused to obey. My mind refused to process.

I pressed myself against the wall, hiding, listening. Every word cut deeper than any slap. My wife, my vows, my love—reduced to a contract and a bargain.

The man laughed softly. “You’re smart, you know. Most women wouldn’t have done this so boldly. You’ll get everything.”

Linda’s voice was soft but full of venom. “He was never the man of the house anyways. He was just a man I had to put up with because I needed to free myself from thinking about you after our break up. Now that you are back, I see no reason why I should keep him."

I wanted to kill them both. I wanted to disappear. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

I shut my eyes trying to surpress my anger.

The man got up from the bed and laughed. " He was never going to take my spot anyways. The R&B contract will be yours the moment you say the word. I can give your family the life you deserve." he said with a smirk as he gazed bored into me.

" Only if you leave the wretched looking good for nothing man." he add.

It was then I felt like stabbing him and I probably did stabbed him a million times in my heart.

" Are you going to keep standing there or you are going to draw me a warm bath?" Linda snapped at me.

I sniffled.

Call me names. Call me stupid. But the truth was that, I loved my wife. I rushed into the bathroom and immediately set the bathroom for usage.

I could hear their laughter coming from our bedroom but it didn't matter.

I loved her enough to do all of this.

But then, I walked back to see her standng with a brown envelope in her hands.

" What is this?" I asked, my gaze going straight to her hand.

" The ticket to your freedom and out of my life." she replied

The room felt tense.

I looked at her and she smirked.

" Don't act dumb. I want a divorce." Linda said walking past me.