Two years ago, at my mentor's suggestion, I went abroad for further studies. Initially, I hesitated, but Erick Lawrence reassured me, "Every woman should have her own career. Go for it. I'll be waiting when you return."

My best friend, Cassandra Robinson, added, "I know you're worried about Erick. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he stays faithful."

Little did I know, Erick stayed faithful to her.

When I returned home, Erick was already there, the house filled with the scent of cigarette smoke. I swapped my shoes for slippers and walked in, leaving my suitcase by the door. Erick looked at me seriously and said, "About Cassandra and me, don't blame her; it's all my doing."

"I know she's your best friend, and I shouldn't have gotten involved with her, but love is irrational. I couldn't help it, and I was compelled to follow my heart."

"Listen, Eden, we know each other so well; it's almost like we're numb to each other. But Cassandra is different—she's like a breath of fresh air. I know I've wronged you, and no matter how much you resent me, I can't let her go."

"She said she doesn't care about labels; she just wants my child. She's given up so much, and I can't let her down."

"You were away for two years, focused on your career, and during my lonely times here, Cassandra was always there for me. I admit I fell for her, and that's why we're together now."

He talked about their relationship like it was a romantic drama, leaving me numb and despondent.

Cassandra made him feel alive, like he couldn't lose her. And what about me? What did our five-year marriage mean?

When he started his business, we were broke and struggling. I lived with him in a dingy basement, eating cheap food and making him stew when he overindulged in drinking. During our toughest times, I even sold my parents' house to support him financially.

For three years, we struggled together. His company was barely making any money, and I used my salary and side jobs to support it. I didn’t dare visit a doctor when I felt ill, for fear of the expense. I always pushed through on my own.

The irregular meals from working so hard and taking on extra jobs worsened my stomach issues, but I never mentioned it to Erick.

Now that his company is thriving, Cassandra, who got a job as his assistant through my connections, was the one by his side, helping him through challenges while I was gone.

My sacrifices seemed to disappear, like smoke, no longer remembered by him. His only issue was loneliness, and Cassandra's company made him feel complete.

I felt a chill of bitterness, staring at him. "Erick Lawrence, we dated for four years and have been married for five. Nine years together don't measure up to Cassandra's two years? Your so-called love overshadows everything we had?"

The study program required two years, and I worked tirelessly to finish early—studying hard, researching, staying up late—just to come back sooner for him.

But now, everything I did seems meaningless. My efforts have turned into a joke, with Erick and Cassandra as the audience.

Erick stubbed out his cigarette and opened the window to let in the cold air, which made me shiver. He explained, "Cassandra is pregnant and can't stand the smell of smoke, so I'm airing it out."

Turning back to me, he said seriously, "I only feel a familial bond with you now, not love. Eden, let's end this. Two years really can change everything. I don't want to keep you in limbo anymore. Let's separate."

"We should go our separate ways," he said so casually, while I was left with bitterness. With a single phrase, he dismissed all the years we shared.

His phone rang, and he answered. I could hear the voice on the other end through the speakerphone: "Honey, when are you coming back? The baby is craving some ravioli. Could you bring us some on your way home?"

"Did I call at a bad time? If Eden is still upset, stay with her and talk things out. I can manage on my own," the voice said, filled with concern and careful probing.

Erick replied softly, "I'm coming back soon and will definitely bring you and the baby some ravioli. Don't overthink it."

The tenderness on his face was something I hadn't seen in a long time, a look that used to be just for me and was now for another woman.

Clutching my aching stomach, I recalled the excitement I felt upon returning. I hadn't eaten on the flight, and now the pain was worsening. My face turned pale as I collapsed onto the couch, unable to speak from the sharp discomfort.

Erick looked at me, frowning. "Eden Bennett, playing the weak card doesn't suit you. Cassandra is pregnant and needs someone around. Don’t think acting frail will change my mind—it won't work."

"Even if I stay tonight, it won't change anything. I won't touch you or betray Cassandra."

"Just say it's my fault. Name your terms for the divorce, and let me know when you decide. But don't bother Cassandra; she's fragile right now and can't handle the stress."

"I hope we can part on good terms."

I rolled my eyes, wordless and overwhelmed. A cheating man is a disgrace.

Erick left quickly, seemingly eager to distance himself.

The door hadn’t even closed when I heard him on the phone while waiting for the elevator: "I'm on my way down now. Don't be jealous. I told you I'd come back to you; why would I spend the night with her? I always keep my promises, silly."

Saying I wasn’t hurt would be a lie. The empty house around me reminded me of our past.

That night, I held back tears until I couldn't anymore. Yes, it hurt.

If Erick had cheated with another woman, I wouldn't have been as devastated. But why did it have to be Cassandra, my best friend? It felt like a knife to my chest, followed by another in my back from someone I considered family.

My stomach cramps were unbearable, sweat dripping from my forehead. Trembling, I called Joey Elliott, my colleague who had returned to the country with me. "Joey, help me," I whispered before losing consciousness.

I woke up in the hospital to find Joey sitting at my bedside, his arms crossed and a look of frustration on his face. "You're really something else," he said, sounding completely exasperated. "You were dead set on rushing back for your husband, and now you've landed yourself with a bleeding ulcer. I never imagined you'd let love cloud your judgment like this. If our mentor finds out, you're going to be in a heap of trouble."

I wanted to laugh but couldn't; instead, tears streamed down my cheeks.

Joey looked taken aback. "Why are you crying just because I scolded you? Where's your husband, anyway? Why isn't he the one who brought you here, and why did I get called instead?"

Through my tears, I confided in him, feeling like a wounded child seeking comfort from family. "He's fallen for another woman. I'm getting a divorce."

Joey watched me cry, seemingly at a loss for words, but he tried to reassure me. "Are you sure this isn't just a misunderstanding?"

I shook my head, my voice barely audible, "He's in love with my best friend. Their baby is almost due."

Joey sat in silence for what felt like an eternity before saying, "I'll help you find a lawyer. The love might be gone, but the money should stay. You've worked just as hard to build his success; don't walk away empty-handed."

Right, everyone else is more sensible than I am. I'm the fool who poured nine years into a misguided devotion, only to end up like this.

I could still picture Erick's eyes, which no longer held any warmth, as he delivered his cold words, "Being with Cassandra made me feel alive again, Eden. You understand, I don't want to lie, especially not to you."

"And that's what you liked about me, right? That I never deceive."

So, because he didn't want to lie to me, he somehow felt justified in having an affair and bluntly telling me: I've achieved my dreams, but you no longer excite me, and I want a divorce. His honesty was his excuse.

I've stopped questioning whether Erick ever loved me because I believe he did. The young man fresh out of school, waiting for me awkwardly in the bitter cold with a hot spiced honey cake wrapped in his coat—that was love. The man who applied heat to my aching legs in our drafty Victorian-style house, tears in his eyes—that was love. The man who shielded me from the rain with his coat, leaving himself soaked and feverish the next day—that was love too.

I don't doubt he loved me once, but I know he doesn't love me now.

During the week I spent in the hospital, I didn't hear a word from Erick. No calls, no messages. His WhatsApp status was blank, and so was Cassandra's. I created a new account, pretending to sell baby items, and added Cassandra.

She accepted quickly, and when I checked her status, I realized she'd blocked me from seeing her updates. Her posts were filled with snapshots of their daily bliss.

"Focused men are the most attractive, undeniable heart flutters,” she wrote, alongside a candid picture of Erick signing documents.

"I walked with him from sunset till dark. I'm envious of Eden; having someone to miss this much. If it were me, I'd give up everything just for a moment like this," she mused, a month after I had left for my trip.

"He called me a fool as I shielded him from the rain, and I blushed like a girl new to love. This must be what a heart-throb feels like," she posted three months after I departed.

"Erick, I like you," she declared, six months after I was gone.

"Heaven heard my prayers. Erick said: I like you too. From then on, I decided to be the villain, betraying the world to be with him," seven months into my absence.

"You and I, one plus one, equals three. Congratulations on becoming a father."

"He said: You and the baby are his whole world. He'll give us all his love."

"I trust time will pass, but our love will remain unchanged," was accompanied by a photo of their interlocked fingers, a diamond ring glinting on her finger. The ring was part of a set of wedding rings—hers and Erick's, not mine.

Cassandra liked to share her everyday life and thoughts as if keeping a journal, and I read their love story as if it were a diary. I cried rivers for myself, for what seemed so unjust.

In the two years since I left, they've been wrapped in passionate love, even bringing a child into this world.