Nirmala's POV

Some betrayals happen behind closed doors.

Mine happened on a livestream.

My goodness...If anyone had told me Jacob, my caring and loving husband, was a cheater, I would have called them a liar.

But right there on the screen behind a popular female streamer is my husband laying down on her bed in his 'underwear', the same one I customised just for him.

He wore my heart, trust and love to go see another woman.

"Nir, look at the person in his under behind 'Switfizz'"

My girlfriend told me as she showed me the steamer's live and my husband behind her, we were watching the popular streamer, 'switfizz', on her live stream when I got the shock of my life.

"Yeah, I can see him clearly"

"Hahaha, do you think that's her boyfriend? I mean he is half-naked and I doubt they are aware we can see him"

"Probably... erm Nancy, I have to start going home, Jacob will be back anytime soon."

I bid my byes and went outside. Staying inside there was suffocating me and I really needed to confirm that was him. Maybe someone also customised the same underwear. I held those words of hope to myself as I dialled my husband's number.

"Vrrrrrrr, vrrrrrrrrr, vrrrrrrrrrr, the subscriber you are trying to call is currently unavailable"

My heart sank immediately and I felt cold sweat on my hand, I wiped them so my phone doesn't fell. I entered inside my car and dialled again still watching him with my other phone. I saw him move as if to take something from the bed and lay back down again.

And the call entered voicemail same time, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the same time so I did both.

I was utterly and miserably hurt, Jacob had been a caring , loving and the best husband a woman could ever ask for throughout our five years of marriage.

He treated me nicely, took good care of me both physically and emotionally, I really, really love and adore my husband, I brag about him to my friends, I'm always proud of being the one standing beside him... but now everything came crumbling down before my very eyes.

I drove home amidst blurry eyes from tears, by the time I arrived home, it was raining heavily, I dropped my car keys and sat down at the dining table, just watching the live stream. At some point he got up and got water for the girl, she signaled to him to get her water to drink, he wasn't showing his face and torso but he is undeniably my husband. I can recognize him from anywhere and that underwear like I said, was custom made.

I thought about searching his wardrobe a bit, I know that underwear wouldn't be there because he left with it... but still I had a hope.

By 11pm at night, the sound of the door opening made me raise my head and I saw my husband came in, he was smiling to his phone.

He hadn't noticed me yet and I decided to make my presence known to him.

"Welcome back, J" he got very startled, his phone fell down,

"Shit! You scared me babe, what are you doing over there alone? I thought you had slept off"

I smiled at him as I approached, and he smiled back, he attempted to hug me but I dodged.

"Baby, What's wrong? Missed you a lot " he said while kissing my forehead. I laughed out in mockey.

"You must have enjoyed showing off the Underwear online?"

His face was a mixture of a lot of various emotions, he took a step back and looked at me.

"B-babe what are you talking about? What online "

"Don't you dare lie to me, you know I hate that even more, how could you Jacob? H-how!"

He made to hold me again and I slapped him hard, very hard. The impact was so loud I was flinched slightly.

"I said not to touch me, it wasn't you right? Okay, fine, pull down your pants"

"W-what! What the hell are you saying?"

I smiled in mockery and as fast as he could not see, I yanked his pants down and just as I thought, he was wearing the underwear. I burst out laughing, but it was filled with pain,.

"Okay, since you said so, who am I to doubt my oh so FAITHFUL husband"

"Nir, calm down"

I was very upset, i dragged my bag from the wardrobe and started shoving everything inside it, my clothes, shoes, bags, make-up and others. After I was done, I head downstairs, dragging my heavy load behind me furiously.

"Nir, calm down, let's talk about this"

"I have nothing to say to you, get out of my way...."

He made to stop me again but a kick to the chin made him fell. I seized that chance and rush out into the pouring cold rain, it was so cold, it knocked the air out of me. But I braved it, better beaten by the rain than go back inside there and see the fave if that liar.

"Nir!! Nir!!!, Nir please let me explain!!!"

He chased me through the rain and I ran faster.

I started my car after dropping my stuff at the back seat, he was knocking on my glass but I flipped him off and swiveled out of the parking lot.

I headed straight to the hotel where I will spend the night.

After checking in and paying, I went into my room, started running the shower, went in, and i let it all out. I cried so hard till I couldn't anymore, I let the warm water wash away my tears.

I wondered how long this has been going on, did he start cheating recently or was that how he is? How did I never notice? Or did I but was blinded by trust?

I couldn't believe my husband, my pride and joy was a cheater.

Nirmala's POV

The next morning, I woke with swollen eyes, a pounding headache, and a heart that felt even heavier than it had the night before. Contrary to what people say, sleep hadn't healed anything.

If anything, the silence had only given my mind more time to replay every painful moment.

Jacob's smile that was meant only for me, the customized underwear I made and designed for him.

That livestream I watched, that switfizz woman.

I let out a shaky breath and brushed my tangled hair away from my face.

The vibration of my phone shattered the silence. I reached beneath the pillow and turned the screen over.

'Only Mine love'

The contact name mocked me as if showing the opposite of what he is.

For five years, I had smiled every time that name flashed across my screen. Today, it made me sick.

The phone rang until it stopped, a second later, another call came in.

Then another, then another. Without a word, I silenced the phone and tossed it onto the bed.

For the first time in our five years of marriage, I didn't want to hear Jacob's voice.

I refused to let heartbreak destroy everything I had built.

After taking a long warm shower and dressing for work, I left the hotel for one of my nearest homes before heading to the largest branch of my clothing and jewelry company.

Designing clothes and jewellery wasn't just my profession, It was my sanctuary.

Ironically... The underwear Jacob wore while lying on another woman's bed had been designed by my own hands. A gift stitched with all my love but now, every time I think about it, I feel like ripping off of him.

The moment I entered the store, employees greeted me warmly.

"Good morning, Ma."

"Welcome, Ma."

I smiled politely not letting any bit of my real feelings seep out, Penelope, the cheerful supervisor, hurried over.

"Welcome, Ma! It's been a while."

"I'm fine, Penelope. How are things here?"

"Everything is running smoothly. Should I call the manager?"

I shook my head.

"No. I only came to inspect the new collection."

Her face brightened.

"Oh! Then please come with me. We've displayed the dresses you designed last week."

She eagerly led me through the showroom. Seeing my sketches transformed into beautiful dresses made me ve y happy but when I remembered who I had designed my latest men's collection for.

Jacob.

Swallowing the bitterness, I forced myself back into business mode.

"Penelope."

"Yes, Ma?"

"I want three influencers for our next campaign."

Her eyebrows lifted.

"Not celebrities?"

I smiled faintly.

"Influencers connect better with customers these days. Different body types. Strong engagement. Authentic personalities."

"I'll inform the manager immediately."

"Thank you."

She left.

I wandered through the showroom alone, pretending to admire the displays while silently trying to keep my life from falling apart.

My phone buzzed again, twenty-three missed calls with forty-one messages, all from Jacob. I ignored every single one.

Suddenly...

"Do you even know who I am?"

A woman's sharp voice echoed through the women's section.

"You stupid salesgirl!"

Customers turned to watch.

One of my employees stood frozen, clearly trying not to cry.

I walked over calmly.

"Excuse me."

The woman spun around, irritation blazing in her eyes.

"And who are you?"

"I'm the acting manager today."

She folded her arms.

"Then explain why your employee refuses to sell me this dress."

Anne quickly spoke.

"Ma, it's only our display sample. I already offered to bring her a brand-new one from the stockroom."

"I don't want another one!" the woman snapped.

"I want THIS one!"

Only then did I properly look at her.

Long black hair with perfect makeup, a designer handbag and a expensive perfume.

And a face I recognized immediately, Switfizz, the streamer.

The woman who my dear husband had destroyed our marriage for.

For a split second... our eyes locked, she didn't know who I was... yet.

I smiled warmly at her.

"I apologize for the inconvenience." She smirked triumphantly.

"I knew someone sensible worked here." I turned to Anne.

"Please package the dress."

Anne blinked.

"But Ma..."

"It's fine."

Anne hesitated before nodding, "...Yes, Ma."

Switfizz smiled victoriously. While waiting, she casually looked around the store.

"I have millions of followers," she boasted.

"A good review from me could make your business explode."

"I appreciate that," I replied politely.

Then I added softly...

"Although character is worth far more than followers."

She frowned slightly.

"What?"

"Oh... nothing."

Anne returned with a neatly packaged shopping bag. Switfizz paid without another word.

Then, before leaving, she pulled out a crisp fifty-dollar bill and handed it to me.

"For your good service." I accepted it with a graceful smile.

"Thank you."

She walked away proudly, convinced she'd gotten what she wanted. The automatic doors slid shut behind her, only then did Anne whisper,

"Ma... I switched the dress."

I looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I packed a brand-new one instead."

A tiny smile tugged at my lips.

"Good."

Anne sighed in relief.

"I couldn't let someone like her take the display piece."

Neither could I, especially not after she had already taken something much more precious from me.

By evening, I left the store. The moment I stepped into the parking lot... I froze at the sight in front of me. Jacob was standing beside my car, leaning on it.

But he wasn't alone, I saw Switfizz clung possessively to his arm, her perfectly manicured fingers wrapped around him as though she owned him.

The sight twisted the knife already buried in my chest, Jacob noticed me first.

"Nir!"

His face lit up with relief before panic replaced it. He pulled his arm away from Switfizz.

"Nir, wait!"

I kept walking.

Every step I took was steady, every heartbeat screamed. He rushed in front of me, blocking my path.

"Please... just listen."

"Move."

"Nir..."

Switfizz finally looked at me, her expression shifted from irritation, to confusion, then, to horror.

Her eyes widened.

"You..."

She looked between Jacob and me, "...Who is she?"

For a long second... No one spoke, Jacob swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down heavily.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he answered

"She's..." He looked directly into my eyes, "...my wife."

Switfizz's face drained of every trace of color.

But the next words that came out of her mouth made my blood run cold.

"What wife?"

"I thought you said you were already divorced."

Chapter 3

The Man Who Saw MyNirmala's POV

"What wife? I thought you said you were already divorced."

The words hung in the air so thick like smoke after a terrible fire. For a second, I simply stared at Jacob. Not just because I was shocked but because I wanted to see if he would lie again, in my face.

Jacob's face turned deathly pale.

"Switfizz, just stop talking."

"No!" she snapped, jerking her arm away from him. "You told me your marriage ended years ago! You said you were only staying in the house because of business!"

She turned to me, her expression shifting between embarrassment and disbelief.

"You... you're really his wife?"

I smiled bitterly.

"Five years and counting."

Her lips parted.

"You lied to me..."

Jacob reached for her. "Listen, I can explain..."

She shoved him hard.

"Don't touch me!"

For the first time since I met her, the confident influencer looked genuinely shaken.

"I knew you wore a ring when we first met," she whispered. "You told me it was only for your online image."

Jacob ran both hands through his hair.

"I was going to tell you everything."

"When?" she laughed bitterly. "After making me the other woman for two years?"

There was a heavy silence, the truth settled over the parking lot like a storm cloud. I folded my arms across my chest.

"So neither of us knew the whole story."

Jacob looked at me desperately, "Nir, please. I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" I laughed. "People forget anniversaries by mistake. They buy the wrong flowers by mistake."

I took one slow step toward him.

"But you don't spend two whole years in another woman's bed by mistake."

His shoulders slumped.

"I love you."

The words almost made me laugh, it was as if he was mocking me for not understanding that word.

"You loved me while lying beside her? You loved me when you were busy fucking her? You loved me when you touch her like a lover ? Don't make me laugh"

He couldn't answer just bowed his head, Switfizz suddenly looked at me.

"I'm... sorry."

I met her eyes and I saw tears threatening to spill. She wasn't apologizing because she had been caught with another woman's husband but because she had finally realized she'd been deceived too.

"I won't forgive you," I said quietly. "But I won't waste my life hating you either."

I looked back at Jacob, "You..."

My voice trembled despite my efforts.

"...are the only person responsible for destroying our marriage." I stepped around both of them.

"Expect the divorce papers."

"NIR!" I didn't look back.

That night, I cried until there were no tears left and after I was done, I called my lawyer.

"I want the papers ready immediately."

"Are you certain, Mrs. Nirmala?"

"I've never been more certain of anything."

When I ended the call, I stared at my wedding ring.

Five years of marriage has been reduced to a just a circle of gold. Slowly... I slipped it off my fingle and dropped it, it landed on the bedside table with a tiny metallic sound but It sounded louder than my breaking heart.

By evening, Jessica dragged me out to a rooftop lounge overlooking the city.

"You've cried enough," she declared.

"Tonight, be happy, drink till you forget your sorrows, don't worry, I will take you home if you get drunk."

The city lights glittered beneath us while music drifted softly through the air as if trying to console my aching heart but I just simply wanted one evening where I wasn't drowning in memories.

Halfway through my first drink, Jessica nudged my shoulder.

"Nir."

"Hm?"

"Twelve o'clock."

I looked up, across the lounge, a man stood leaning casually against the glass railing, he is very tall, with broad shoulders, black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.

His tie hung loose around his neck as though he'd just escaped a board meeting. He wasn't pretending not to stare at all, he continued staring with confidence.

When our eyes met, neither of us looked away, my pulse stumbled. He lifted his whiskey glass toward me. Almost unconsciously, I lifted mine. He smiled and then he stood up, Jessica gasped dramatically.

"Oh my God... he's coming."

Every woman he passed glanced his way, yet his eyes never left mine. He stopped beside our table.

"Greetings Ladies."

His deep voice carried effortlessly over the music, Jessica immediately grinned.

"Take her. She desperately needs saving."

I elbowed her, he chuckled.

"I wasn't planning to kidnap anyone."

His gaze settled on me again, "But I'd like permission to steal a few minutes."

I found myself smiling for the first time in days.

"You assume I'd say yes."

"I was hoping."

There was something dangerous about the way he looked at me, he wasn't looking at me lustfully but with deep interest, like I'm the only person he is focusing on, like though everyone else in the room had disappeared.

"I'm Eris."

"Nirmala."

He repeated my name slowly.

"Nirmala."

The way he said it made it sound strangely intimate.

"A beautiful name."

"You've practiced that line."

"I don't need practice when I'm just telling the truth."

Heat crept into my cheeks before I could stop it, Jessica suddenly stood.

"We're getting more drinks."

Within seconds, every one of my friends had mysteriously disappeared, bunch of Traitors they are.

Eris laughed softly.

"They're subtle."

"Not even a little."

A comfortable silence settled between us. He leaned one elbow on the table.

"You look hurt and weary."

I stiffened.

"Is it that obvious?"

"No." His voice softened.

"I know that look." I searched his face.

"You've worn it before?" His smile faded.

" Well... once."

For a moment... the confident stranger looked haunted.

Then he looked back at me, "I don't know who made you lose your smile."

He paused.

"But I hope one day..."

"...I'll be the reason you get it back."

The air between us suddenly felt much warmer but neither of us spoke. The music seemed to disappear.

Without breaking eye contact, he reached into his jacket pocket and placed a simple black business card in front of me.

"No pressure."

"If life ever gives you a reason..."

"...call me."

Our fingers brushed as I picked up the card, A tiny touch, barely a second. Yet it sent an unexpected shiver racing through me.

He noticed and his lips curved into the faintest smile.

"I'll wait." Then he walked away.

I watched him disappear into the crowd.

Only after he was gone did I finally look down at the card. My heart skipped a beat.

The name beneath Eris Ashford wasn't what shocked me. It was the title printed underneath.

"CEO Ashford Media Group.""

The very company that owned... Switfizz's streaming platform.