My Wife's Betrayal: I Chose to Forget the Scars and Divorce

I'd been married to Iris Campbell for three years, yet she still hung up on her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Jackman.

Iris' coat would always end up at Gavin's place, or her lipstick would pop up in his car.

At a friend's birthday party, Gavin gave Iris her coat back with a flirty look. "Your coat ended up at my place again last night," he told her.

Suddenly, all eyes were on me, Albert Yancey. They looked amused, like they were enjoying the drama.

They all waited for me to lose it with jealousy. But to their surprise, I just laughed and covered for Iris. "They were childhood sweethearts. Even if they shared a bed, I wouldn't read too much into it."

1

Last week, Iris went out in the middle of the night to watch a movie with Gavin.

Fuming, I asked her, "Why do you have to watch a movie with him at midnight?"

Iris snapped back, accusing me of being paranoid and distrustful. "We went with a bunch of friends, not just the two of us," she insisted.

Despite my protests, she went anyway. I didn't sleep all that night.

Just before dawn, I saw on Instagram that Iris had posted a selfie with Gavin in a private theater with racy decor.

We didn't speak for a whole week after that. I didn't text her once.

But yesterday, Iris had finally reached out to break the ice. She took the initiative to send me a message to break the ice. She texted: [Let's hit up the car show tomorrow. I'll drive.]

I'd been pulling extra shifts and hustling on the side for months, all to save up for this car show.

Iris was usually too proud to make the first move. Her texting me was her way of making peace.

Usually, after every fight, she'd stay mad for ages until I apologized and made up for it with gifts or money. Only then would she even glance my way.

Once we made up, I'd be over the moon, forgetting all the bad stuff.

Little did I know, she had been calling me a simp to her friends behind my back.

Still, I'd happily go out of my way to please her. After all, she was my wife.

Anyway, Iris always messed around with Gavin. One day, I felt tired of pleasing her.

Now, Iris suggesting we go to the car show together didn't even excite me. It kinda annoyed me.

Still, since it was the first time Iris suggested something herself, I coolly texted back: [Okay, see you tomorrow.]

After work the next day, one of my car-loving coworkers asked if I wanted to hit the car show with him.

I was actually planning to go with him. We get along great and both love cars. But since I'd already promised Iris, I had to say sorry and turn him down.

I ended up waiting for Iris on the sidewalk outside my office.

Before I even thought to text her, Iris sent a message: [Albert, I'm on my way. Meet me downstairs at your office.]

I texted back: [Okay.]

So, I just stood there outside the office, watching the traffic.

The sun set, and it got dark. I was still there waiting.

Two hours passed, and Iris still hadn't shown up. It was a less than 20-minute drive from our home to my office.

I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. Texts went unanswered too.

At 9 p.m., I checked Iris' phone location and found her at the Night Hotel.

2

By then, the car show was long over.

Hungry and tired, I went to grab dinner around 10 p.m.

After eating, I caught a cab home, washed up, and went to bed.

I didn't bombard Iris with texts or calls to ask why she stood me up like I used to.

I wasn't even upset about her no-show.

Iris came home at 2 a.m., turning on every light in the place.

The door slammed and woke me up, but I just rolled over and ignored it.

It made me think of how I used to wait up like a simp, no matter how late she came home.

Even if I dozed off on the couch, I'd turn on the TV to stay awake.

Iris liked to drink a warm glass of milk before bed, which I always had ready.

But sometimes, if she was in a bad mood, she'd pour the milk down the sink, complaining, "Why drink this now? How will I sleep after all that milk?"

And all I could do was apologize and try to make her smile.

Looking back, I must have seemed pretty pathetic.