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How It all began

I don't understand you". I complain once again. "Who's idea was that? Swapping meat for fish and thinking I'll be satisfied?"I speak a little louder.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, we're very sorry for the inconvenience. Would you like to exchange the product?" The man asks.

"Of course I want it, and I need it as soon as possible". Answering with a snort.

I quickly turn off my cell phone and place it on the counter. I breathe in and out, trying to remain calm. I look at the clock with a frown, after all at this moment he seemed to be a cruel villain. I finish the sweets quickly and put them in the refrigerator, but I don't rest. I start to make some snacks, while my cook makes dinner. Today was a special day and I spent a lot of time planning every detail, nothing could go wrong.

As soon as I finished, I put everything in the oven and left the kitchen, heading up to my room. On the bed was already my separate clothes, I had left everything prepared so that there would be no delay. I take a shower to remove the smell of food from my body and leave with a smile. I quickly get ready and dress elegantly. I flash a smile at myself as I look in the mirror and sigh a bit tired, but my excitement was taking over. I hurry down the stairs and stand near the door to the living room.

I hold onto a small table there and wait anxiously. The lights were all off, after all this was supposed to be a surprise. I had lied to my husband saying that I would spend the night at my mother's house. Joy, my husband, had finally gotten the promotion he had been waiting for and this called for a big celebration. I see the light of his car and my smile widens even more. He takes a while to get in, but I soon hear voices near the door. The voice was not only his, there was a female voice.

The door opens and he enters, together with the woman. Despite the darkness, I didn't need much light to realize that they were kissing. They were kissing with intensity, in a way that he hadn't done to me in a long time. It squeezed my chest and the air practically escaped from my lungs. I was paralyzed, watching this scene as if it were a nightmare and that soon it would all be gone. But it didn't, and it was far from being just a nightmare. They both seem to sense that they are being watched and look in my direction. Their eyes go wide, looking at me as if I were a haunting.

"Laura?"

His voice sounds desperate, as does everything else.

"I can explain, love". He speaks as he approaches me and places his hands on my arms.

"Can you?" My question sounds totally ironic.

My voice was low and I couldn't show any feelings. To tell the truth, I had never felt so empty. There was nothing to show.

"It was a mistake, just something unimportant". He explains desperately.

The light had already been turned on, probably by someone who was part of the small group of people watching us. My two brothers-in-law, my in-laws, my niece, two of Joy's work friends and my employees, these were the people watching us intently.

"Just go away Joy". I hear the voice of one of my brothers-in-law, Roberto.

"Never mind, this has nothing to do with you". Joy replies, looking at him angrily. "Let's talk upstairs Laura". He says sighing and takes my hand, trying to carry me.

I stay in the same place, which makes him look at me confused and in despair.

"I want you to leave". I speak softly, but seriously.

"We need to talk, let me clear this up". He begs again, standing in front of me.

"Go away!" I shout this time, which causes a huge silence to fill the room for a while.

"We've been together for 10 years, love, we can't throw this time away". He speaks as if he feels pain, and soon a few tears come out of his eyes.

"You should have thought of that before". I speak coldly.

His look is one of total surprise, as if he can't believe his eyes and what he has just heard. I turn my back to him and start walking up the stairs, without even looking at the audience that was there. I go into my room and lock the door. I lean my back against the door and stare at the large picture on the wall. The picture of our vow renewal, which had happened less than a month ago. I was dressed as a bride, a dream that I could only realize after many years, and we seemed to be in love. We were looking at each other and, as absurd as it may seem now, his gaze conveyed love.

When exactly did he stop loving me? When did he step over all our plans and all the time we spent together? My chest began to hurt, very much. The pain was infinitely great and I was surprised why it seemed to increase with every second. The tears that before denied existence began to fall quickly. My body was slowly losing its strength until I was on the floor, while staring at that damned photo. That damned proof that everything I had was over and making me question if what I lived was, in fact, true.

That doubt, the various questions that were multiplying, the confirmation and all that shame, made me breathless. Every time I took a breath, it felt like sharp blades were going into my insides, destroying everything in sight. The end was being frightening.

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