Nothing could describe how I was feeling. I felt numb, but at the same time, in so much pain that I couldn’t will myself to move or to do anything. All I could do was weep to my heart’s content on the floor for hours, unable to pick myself up as I allowed myself to have an emotional breakdown.

It didn't make sense that Kade could do such a thing because it was innate for him to carry the following traits: cutthroat, calculating, fiercely loyal, and holding to a deeply ingrained moral code that may not translate for others.

We never had huge arguments; I always kept up with his pace and made sure that I didn't embarrass him in any way. In short, I played the role of a perfect wife; the kind he wanted and needed. So where did things go wrong?

When I had no more tears left to cry, I started contemplating about the future. I began wondering about how things would turn out if Kade was no longer part of my life. Questions such as whether I’d be able to live without him or not kept running through my head until my mind completely went blank.

I stayed in the same position even as my surroundings got very dark. I didn’t want to move or eat, even though I was hungry. The only time I finally moved was when Kade arrived. I squinted at the sudden brightness when he opened all the damn lights. I slowly sat up and watched him put his stuff down.

When he noticed I was there, he raised a brow in question before looking around to see if anything else was amiss. When his eyes landed back on me, he noticed that I wasn’t my usual self, so he cautiously walked toward me as if he were approaching a wild animal. He then crouched down and held my face between his hands.

Unconsciously, I recoiled, but not because I was afraid of him or believed he would harm me. The sensation of repulsion when our skin touched made me pull back and then I felt the strong urge to throw up. I used to love his touch; I even craved it, but I despise it now.

“What's wrong? What happened?” Kade asked, his voice seemingly laced with worry, and I shook my head in response.

“Something's bothering you. I know it. Tell me why you’ve been crying, Ava,” he coaxed.

I looked deep into his eyes wanting to read his thoughts, that perhaps all the things I learned about him were just made-up stories to break our precious marriage. However, the look in his eyes seemed different. Gone was the warmth and compassion they had for me.

I understood now that I had to lie even though I wanted to confront Kade about his affair. I figured I wasn’t ready to fight him on this yet, so I pretended that I knew nothing about Hailey.

“This is nothing, Kade. I just can’t believe that we’re about to meet our baby. I’m just excited, overwhelmed, and emotional. That’s all,” I answered, smiling to hide my inner feelings.

“Oh, honey. Everything’s going to be fine. Now, why don’t we go to bed?” He asked as he stood, stretching his hands out to help me up.

Instead of taking his outstretched hands, I asked where he had been the entire day. He let the question hang for a second before asking where I thought he was. When I answered with a shrug, Kade suddenly got defensive, telling me that he had been working. He even asked if I had forgotten who he was and what his role was to many people before angrily walking out.

As my hands trembled, I unlocked the screen on my phone, and there I found new photos of them on full display. They had spent the entire day together once more and capped the night by having a romantic dinner at one of the expensive restaurants we owned—the one he named after me.

I watched Kade disappear inside the master suite, unable to comprehend how he could easily lie to me. The disbelief and denial I felt were so strong that for a moment, I wanted to show him the photos and slap him, so I quickly stood and marched to where he was.

I immediately stopped and kept myself hidden behind the door upon hearing that he was on the phone with someone. Due to his hushed tone, I instantly knew that he wasn't speaking to any of his men because he usually barked at them.

I couldn't make out what the woman he was speaking to was saying, but judging from the way his eyes softened, it was probably something he found amusing or delightful.

"Baby, I can't tonight. I just got home," Kade softly whispered.

My lips trembled knowing who he was talking to now. Gathering every ounce of courage I could muster, I perked my ears, and listened to the gist of their conversation.

As they said goodbye to each other, I pretended that I was just about to enter the room. Wordlessly, I went about my nightly routine and told him that I was going to sleep.

As I walked past Kade, he suddenly reached out to me, making a move to kiss me on the lips. Repulsed by his action, I swiftly turned my head so that he'd end up kissing my cheek instead. My action caused his brows to furrow, so I smiled apologetically at him and made it seem as if an unknown object caught my attention at the same time he leaned in.

As we lay side by side, I tossed and turned for hours unable to find comfort, while Kade slept like a bear hibernating. I couldn't get the images of him and Hailey out of my mind, causing me more physical and emotional pain. I felt stupid believing all his lies just because I trusted him with my life.

Every time I looked at him, I wanted to punch him in the jaw, but I knew that becoming violent wouldn't solve the predicament or hell I was in. For hours, I kept going back and forth to the past, present, and future, recalling and trying my best to plan things out. I couldn't remember how long I stayed up, but when I woke up the next day, Kade was already dressed.

"Where are you going? I thought you didn't have anything planned today?" I asked.

"Something came up. There had been a few setbacks at the warehouse. I need to check it out," he curtly explained as he straightened his tie.

"Well, can't you send someone else to deal with it? I need you to—"

"—Ava, don't be ridiculous. I'll deal with this myself, and I won't be coming home tonight," he interrupted.

"Why?" I questioned.

"Because it's the one with the farthest location, so this could take a while."

"Please, Kade, just this once. I really need you to come with me to the doctor. This is for our baby," I begged.

"Sorry, but this is more urgent. I'll have the driver waiting and just take one of the maids with you," he said as he walked toward the door.

"If anything happens, just call me," he added before leaving without another word or even a glance.

I sobbed the moment he shut the door knowing that there was nothing wrong with one of his warehouses. There was nothing wrong with any of his businesses or domains either; otherwise, his men would be running around the house by now.

He was about to see Hailey. Judging from how their conversation went, she continuously begged him to come see her last night, but Kade turned her down each time. Instead, he made a promise that he'd make it up to her by spending the weekend together.

I couldn't fathom the level of betrayal and disrespect he was showing me. He was ruining our marriage and choosing her over me and our child. I couldn't let this go on. I knew I needed to do something. With determination, I quickly threw on whatever decent clothes I could find, tied my hair, secretly got out of the house, and hailed a cab to follow Kade.