Why I Cheered When My Husband Cheated

Chapter 2

I dropped Emily off at her place first. I've never been the kind of person who aired out my private life to others. So, in all these years, I never said a word to her about the issues between Hank and me.

When I got home, Hank and Selena were already sitting on the couch, both looking dead serious.

Hank tried to smile when he saw me, but the moment his eyes landed on the divorce papers in my hand, it vanished.

"Yara," he said, voice soft and pleading, "Selena and I... we didn't cross any lines. Please, just forgive me this once, okay?"

Before I could even react, Selena shot up from the couch like a stiff mannequin.

"Yara, we made a mistake," she said, voice trembling. "But it's nothing serious. Hank and I barely started seeing each other. I swear, I'll never see him again."

Then came the tears. Big, dramatic ones. Her shoulders were shaking, and she looked like some fragile little flower caught in the rain.

Hank shifted uncomfortably, his feet moving slightly toward her like he wanted to comfort her, but with me standing right there, he just froze in place, lips pressed in a tight line.

I stared at both of them, completely stunned. I hadn't even opened my mouth yet, but somehow, they'd already cast me as the bitter villain trying to split up two soulmates.

Wow. Impressive performance.

I rubbed my temples and sat down slowly, trying my best to appear calm.

"I'm not here to point fingers," I said coolly. "I'm all about fairness. If you two really like each other, I'm happy to step aside and let you be."

Then I looked from Hank to Selena, and handed him the divorce papers.

"As for this... don't worry. I'm not here to fight over assets. We'll split everything down the middle."

But clearly, we were not on the same page. They still thought I was furious. As soon as the words left my mouth, they both dropped to their knees in front of me without hesitation.

If I hadn't already been sitting, I probably would've leapt three feet in the air.

"Baby, I'm sorry!" Hank cried. "I know I messed up. You can hit me if it'll help, I'll do anything. Just please, don't leave."

"I brought Selena here to end it once and for all, right in front of you!"

"I don't want a divorce, Yara. I love you. I can't live without you."

Tears streamed down his face, and he lunged like he was about to cling to my legs, but I quickly jerked them away. God help me.

Selena took it even further, she slapped herself. Twice. Hard enough that her whole face turned red.

"This is all my fault! I'm horrible, I know. I seduced him! Yara, please forgive him, it's not his fault!"

"Surely six years of love won't fall apart over one little mistake... right?"

I looked at her through narrowed eyes, jaw clenched. Is this for real?

Wasn't the mistress supposed to want me out of the picture? Why was she suddenly acting like some moral support sidekick?

Fine. If they thought I was mad, then I'd give them the show they were waiting for.

I stood up so fast the papers flew a little, slammed the divorce agreement down on the table, and shouted,

"You cheated on me, and now you want me to just forget it? Forgive you, so I can hate myself every day for staying? Absolutely not."

I turned to Hank and locked eyes with him.

"If you really loved me, you'd sign the damn papers. We're done."

His lips trembled, eyes glassy with tears. After a long pause, he finally spoke, and what he said felt like lightning crashing around me.

"If you really can't get past this… then why don't you go have an affair too? Then we'll be even, and we can go back to living happily, okay?"

What. The. Hell.

My brain short-circuited. I stared at him, completely stunned. Hank, the man I once believed was rational, respectful, even educated, had just offered that as a solution?

How did I ever end up here?