I caught Jack Harper, my husband, sobbing under the covers in the middle of the night.

My guess was he was nursing a serious case of heartbreak.

He'd clammed up big time lately.

He even ditched his phone and isn't burning the midnight oil like before.

Out of the blue, he'd been laying it on thick with the sweet talk.

It looked like someone really did a number on him.

I sighed and kept typing on my phone.

Then I hit up my online peeps. "How do you comfort a married dude who's just been dumped?"

1

Digging for the dirt, I checked his rarely-updated social feed.

And boom, I stumbled on a fresh post.

Jack Harper (Dear Hubby): "Guess it was just a pipe dream, a mixed blessing."

With a heartbreaking butterfly pic.

2

The post disappeared in a heartbeat.

Bet he realized he hadn't blocked me.

What's that tell ya?

The man still cared, he didn't want me tossing and turning all night.

He just couldn't bear it.

He's still got a corner of his heart for me.

Man, I'm head over heels for him.

3

That's what I would say if I am really like that.

4

The sobbing had kinda stopped.

It seemed like he'd pulled himself together.

I handed him a tissue, my voice soft, "Babe, spill the beans. What's got you down?"

He gave me the cold shoulder but took the tissue.

Then the crying and sobbing that had stopped rang up again.

Nailed it.

I touched a nerve.

He melted down.

5

If he kept crying the blues, there was no way we were getting any shut-eye tonight.

I sighed, bit the bullet, and hugged him from behind.

"Next time, pick someone who's not hitched, or better yet, a widow."

Took a breath, then added, "If it really comes to that."

6

Jack shot me a look, and choked back his words.

He ended up saying nothing, just turned his back and lay down.

What can I do?

Well, witness just another broken heart in the city tonight.

7

Jack's really fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker.

It was rare to see Mr. Perfect come undone, snoozing in, tie askew.

Sporting bags were under his eyes and a scruffy beard.

He was a hot mess.

And he even skipped his beloved breakfast.

Just ghosted out the door.

"Watch yourself out there, honey. Waitin' on you."

I was scared that he would go out like in that status and get caught in some car accident.

Then I...

I'll be left holding the bag—and his massive inheritance, crying so hard I can't even put down my smile.

8

"Psst."

I scanned the café to make sure we were in the clear.

There was no one listening.

"Jack Harper's stepping out!"

Maddie, my bestie, coolly put down her iced coffee, "Seen any proof?"

"It's legit this time!" I was dead serious.

I added, "I trust my gut—woman's intuition!"

Before I could even finish, she cut in, "Enough already."

"You've been harping on about Jack cheating like thirty-eight times this month."

9

"If it's the real deal, why not just ditch him?"

"Thought you said cheating's a dealbreaker?"

I bit my lip, kind of stuck, "But he's got that charm, you know?"

"And he drops a cool million on me every month..."

"Can't throw away good money over pride, right?"

10

Maddie glanced at me, then quickly looked away.

"It wasn't always like this with you two."

"You used to be all over each other, everyone thought you were the perfect match."

From prom to our wedding, it's been a solid decade.

From a crummy studio to our swanky villa now.

Back in our rough days, we didn't even have a place to call home.

Young Jack, all fresh-faced and eager, full of youthful zest, promised, "Ella, it's gonna be just you and me, till the end."

"Once I'm rolling in it, you'll never have to struggle again."

"All my dough? It's yours to blow!"

...

I had to snap myself out of the memory lane.

I was lost in my thoughts when I stared at the coffee.

Once, just because I mentioned liking it, he'd scour the city to fetch it for me.

Even on the coldest days, whatever he brought back was always piping hot.

I took a sip, same old taste.

Same old sweet taste.

Sweet enough to make your teeth ache.

11

I was just zoning out with my coffee.

Maddie watched me, treading lightly.

She was scared to hit a sore spot.

"Thinking..."

"...maybe having a few pretty guys over tonight might be a better idea."

Maddie: "...Okay then."

12

Bummer.

Before getting around to inviting the guys, I barely walked in when—wham—body checked hard.

I hit the deck, and got soaked in booze.

Then, out of nowhere, killer cramps ran up my stomach.

"Oh, sorry, miss... totally didn't mean to..."

She scrambled to help me up, but froze mid-gesture when our eyes locked.

Then, Mr. Late-to-the-Party makes his entrance.

He pulls her in, all worry and furrowed brows, "Vanessa, you good?"

He then turned to me, icy as hell, "What's your deal? Walk much?"

But he did a full double-take when he saw it was me.

I couldn't help but smirk

This whole mess was straight out of a freakin' drama.

"Babe."

"This the 'overtime' you've been racking up?"

13

Before this mess blew up,

I thought I could brush it off.

So I kept everything calm and cool.

Not now.

It's glaringly obvious.

I can't do it.

I can't just smile and wave it off.

I can't act like it doesn't cut deep.

14

The drive home? Cold as a freezer.

I just stared out at the city lights, all lit up.

This city's done a total 180, with no trace of its gritty past.

Today, it has descended into sheer decadence, a stark departure from its humble origins.

"She and I ain't a thing."

"Don't sweat it."

Jack shattered the silence.

He sat quietly, waiting for me to bite.

"And?"

What am I supposed to say?

Play the fool, act like all's well, spewing lies I can't stomach?

Or go nuclear, demand he kicks her to the curb?