The Billionaire’s Second Chance Novel – I have reasons to believe that my husband is cheating on me. I have no evidence until I watched my best friend Mia on top of my husband, riding the hell out of him. God knows how much I wanted to strangle their alive, but she didn’t deserve my wrath, and neither did he. My driver was at the door waiting. I instructed him to take the three suitcases to my car while I dragged the small suitcase. “Babe, what are you doing? Please, Mia.” He begged as he followed me downstairs. “These are the divorce papers.” I slapped the documents on his chest. When I approached the airport,I told myself. “I wish you nothing but the very best, dear self. You are destined for happiness and so is your unborn child.”
Tara Coleman In the eight years I have known my husband, I would say he was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Mark was the definition of a good boyfriend, fiancé, and husband after we got married three years ago. Yes, we dated since our last year of senior year in high school, went to college, and after five years of dating, we decided to get married and start a family together. However, in the last few months, I noticed that he just grew cold and dismissive. He would cut me off, avoid me every little chance he got, and spend most of his time at the office, showing little of himself at the house. Something tells me that he was out with his mistress or has found himself another woman, but how could he do that to me? We love each other and promise to remain faithful to one another at the altar; it was part of our wedding vows.
“You keep accusing me of cheating, and yet I have done nothing of the sort. Do you want me to prove your point, or what exactly do you want me to say?” He questioned me as soon as I confronted him about the whole business trip that he lied to me about. “No, that is not what I meant, and you know it. You told me you were going on a business trip, and when I called your office, your PA said she knew nothing about a business trip or whatever name you gave your little escapade.” Did I respond, trying not to raise my voice because I was honestly speaking? He was getting on my nerves, acting like the victim of circumstance. “I would never cheat on you, and I can’t tell you every detail of my life, Tara. We are married, yes, but there are things I need to take care of as a man of the house and the CEO of Coleman Pharmaceuticals Limited.
You know I am a busy man. Tara, please, let’s not discuss this now. I am tired, and I need to rest. I suggest you do the same, and maybe we can pick up from where we left off this conversation tomorrow.” “Okay, since you won’t tell me, I will find out for myself. Wait, is this because of my medical condition? The doctor said, I am not entirely infertile; I could give birth; we just need to keep trying.” I asked, and he snorted and then went to be straight. “I wish not to talk about this and no, it is not about a child. God will give us a child when the time is right. Come to bed or stand there the whole night.” He declared, and I stood there, looking at him like he was a stranger to me. I couldn’t sleep the whole night; I kept thinking of the possibility that he was cheating on me. I couldn’t fathom the thought of him having another woman, so I ended up sleeping in the guestroom.
After turning and tossing the whole night, I had to go to work and since I didn’t want to spend the day feeling sorry for myself, I asked my driver to take me to work. Mark had already left and I didn’t bother asking if he was okay. Later in the day, Mia, my best friend, came to see me at the office, She looked happy and since we hadn’t seen each other for days, we decided to catch up. “So, how have you been? I told myself that I wouldn’t get married unless I witnessed my best friend enjoying her marriage.” She asked and I chuckled. Mia and I had practically grown together. We were inseparable and became best of friends after her family moved into our neighborhood about ten years ago. I trusted her with my whole life; I never knew that she would be the one to be disloyal to me one day, I had my whole trust in her and I always told her every part of my life.
“Nothing much. One thing I know for sure is that you are afraid of commitment; if you get over that, you can survive in marriage. There is no perfect marriage, by the way; the happy couples you see out here are also going through something but what matters is how you solve your problems in private and learn that no one is perfect.” I explained and she chuckled, sipping her wine, and squinted her eyes at me questioningly. “Something tells me that you have a lot going on your end. Do you mind sharing? A problem shared is half-solved.” She begged and I smiled. I knew she was the only one I could trust and someone who could understand my quandary. “Yeah, I know you already read my mind; it is about my husband Mark.
I have reasons to believe that he is cheating on me. I have no evidence, just circumstantial.” I complained and she shook her head, placed her glass on the table then took my hands in hers. She rubbed them reassuringly before she finally spoke, “You have no idea how much your husband adores you, my friend. That man worships at your feet and always speaks highly of you, even in your absence. You remember how obsessed he was with you back in college?” She asked and I smiled at the thought of it. My love story and Mark was one of a kind; everyone revered what we had and the girls were always jealous of what we shared. That is something I craved for years after we got married but my grip was getting looser day by day. I couldn’t remember the last time Mark’s love for me was so genuine and straightforward.
“Yeah, I remember all that but the spark is gone, Mia. Mark doesn’t look at me like he always did back in the day. I don’t know if he is seeing another woman or if he is weighed down by work or not but I miss him dearly.” I poured my heart out and my ‘best friend’ consoled me; she gave me an idea that a part of me wished I never heeded, and a part of me thanked her for opening my eyes. “You are probably just overthinking; Mark loves you and that will never change. If there are a couple, I always look up to you guys. Maybe he is overwhelmed by the piled-up work on his desk, the reshuffling of the board members, and all that. How about you surprise him tonight, go out there, get him his favorite wine, buy him his favorite cologne, or get him his dream car? I know he can get it himself since he has the money but it would warm his heart if it came from you.
I am not married but I know that marriage is a two-way traffic, Don’t wait for him to surprise you, do that and win his heart back, make him feel loved, and trust me, you won’t feel the distance anymore.” She advised and I smiled. Taking her advice was probably the dumbest idea I have ever heard. “Thank you, my friend. I don’t know what I could do without you. I have a lot of work today, which I am sure I will finish late, but I am certain that by 9 PM I will be home to surprise him, I hope this revives our marriage; I don’t want to lose him.” That statement was the last I made to Mia, and it was for a good reason that I even had a friend I could rely on and someone I could count on. I worked the rest of the day anxiously, as I didn’t know what to buy Mark that evening. However, I got help from my PA to arrange all the paperwork in order, and I ended up finishing earlier than my scheduled time. I wanted to surprise Mark so I didn’t tell him about me going home early.
I asked my driver to drop me off at the gift shop. I got him a Rolex watch, an expensive designer perfume to match his set, his favorite red wine, and a miniseries. I just wanted us to do a movie night, talk about everything, and let it all out, Little did I know! “Ma’am, do you need me to help you with the bag?” My driver asked as soon as I walked out of the wines and spirits shop. “Yes please, and drive faster; I am running out of time.” When we got home, I reached for the rearview mirror to check myself. I applied the red lipstick and brushed my curly, dark hair away from my freshly applied mascara. Glancing down at my neatly done nails, I smiled at my reflection, took the shopping back, and walked to the house. Everything looked normal, apart from the weird and fearful looks I got from my workers. I ignored them as I got rid of my heels and headed upstairs.
I knew Mark was probably in his room and the sound of the tip of my sharp heels against the marble floor would announce my entrance. When I got to our bedroom door, I sighed deeply, contemplating whether to knock or just let myself in. I wanted him to be surprised; I didn’t know what his reaction would be so I was panicky, to say the least. After summoning enough courage, I pushed the door open and called his name softly, “Mark Honey! I have a surprise for you!” I called out but the scene before my eyes betrayed my frail body and I felt the energy I had slowly leaving my body as I watched the horror in front of me. “Why?” I uttered miserably as I watched my best friend Mia on top of my husband, riding out of him.
Both of them were shocked to see me and they immediately jumped off from the bed, reaching for the sheets to cover themselves. “I can explain; it is not what you think, babe. This is the work of the devil; I swear to God!” Mark begged but I was done seeing his ugly face, I chortled angrily and banged the door behind me as I ran to the nearest washroom. – Tara Coleman It was only a few minutes—twenty to be precise—but it felt like an eternity to me. It was taking forever to pack my things in the three large suitcases. I would forgive Mark for anything, but cheating on me with my best friend was beyond my imagination. The two people I loved and trusted the most just ripped my heart apart and smashed the life out of it.
“Baby, please don’t leave me. I swear she has been throwing herself at me, and I just lost my control; my body failed me, but I promise I will never betray your feelings again.” Mark begged from outside the door, but there was nothing in this world that he would say to me that would change my mind. When I walked out of that washroom after calming my heart and convincing myself that it was just a nightmare I would wake up from, I had already made up my mind. I looked at the three packed suitcases and sighed. I texted my driver to come upstairs and help me take them to my car outside. When Mark started being cold towards me, I had a change of heart and doubted our marriage. I asked my lawyer to draft divorce papers just in case things didn’t work out between us. I was prepared for that part of our marriage, but I never thought it would be so soon. I pulled the drawers in my side of the closet and pulled out the divorce papers, and with a heavy heart, I walked out of the room.
My driver was at the door waiting. I instructed him to take the three suitcases to my car while I dragged the small suitcase. “Babe, what are you doing? Please, Mia, you can’t be the reason we throw away our eight years just like that. I still love you.” He begged as he followed me downstairs, and I stopped in my tracks. “You should have thought about that before you drilled my best friend on our matrimonial bed! I have been lenient and patient with you for all this time, and tonight I thought we could have a movie date, which your w***e mistress suggested, by the way, but thank you for opening my eyes. These are the divorce papers that I am urging you to sign without causing a circus because the terms are favorable. I won’t take a penny from you if that is what you are worried about.” I slapped the documents on his chest and jolted the rest of the way to the living room. “What? You can’t divorce me!” He shouted, and I chuckled angrily. “And why is that? My friend must sign the papers, or I will have to involve my lawyers, and you won’t like it if I do because I will take everything from you, including that company.” “You can’t do that!” “I can and I will if you don’t sign the papers. Either way, you and I are done, Mark.
So, it is either you lose me or you lose both your wealth and me; choose wisely.” I demanded, and he sighed, looking at me with pitiful eyes, but my mind was made up. The earlier he signed the papers, the better it was for both of us and my healing journey. As he signed the papers, which I knew he wouldn’t cause a fuss about because he couldn’t afford to share his wealth with me, I couldn’t get rid of the horrific scene on my mind; it kept replaying, and the more it did, the more I hated him and Mia. God knows how much I wanted to strangle her alive, but she didn’t deserve my wrath, and neither did he. “Is there something I can do to change your mind? I am sorry, Tara. I am.” He apologized as he handed me back the divorce papers, and I laughed. “I am sorry too, but you and I are done and there is nothing you can do about it.” I declared, exhaling sharply, as my feet glazed against the carpet. I grabbed the small suitcase, pulling it behind me as the maids and the workers gathered around, whispering among themselves.
The resonant sound of my heels made me feel free as they echoed in the hallway. I stopped when I saw our wedding photo hanging at the side of the wall and I bit my lower lips, angrily stopping the tears from my eyes from falling. In the picture, we were standing side by side, holding onto each other with smiles on our faces, It was the best day of my life and yet the worst because I gave up my life to a lying and cheating man. I was in my white wedding gown while he stood by my side, looking ravishing in a clean black suit, the most handsome man in the room. I chuckled and lifted the frame, My grip tightened on the white frame as I recalled all the moments, we had shared on our wedding night as I continued walking to the front door. I was done with Mark, my ex-husband. The name sounded strange in my mouth but it was the hard truth that I had to deal with at the moment.
I was done with everything The large, empty mansion The sad, pitiful looks on the maids’ faces, the people who took care of my family! The lonely nights when Mark was gone on his business trips The silent tears when I started having doubts about his love for me The silent prayer I made asking God to keep him safe when he was busy screwing my best friend. I was done With him My now-ex-husband. I changed my course and walked to the kitchen. I needed a glass of water before I walked out of that sham of a marriage. The workers stopped doing what they were doing and stared at me nervously. I threw the photo frame on the marble and stomped on it with my feet, making a crackling sound. “Make sure you clean this up and burn that picture to ashes,” I instructed one of the cooks and she nodded as she hesitantly reached for the remains of the picture.
I poured myself a glass of water, gulped it down, and then walked back to the living room, Mark was still at the same spot I left him and I was glad he was not trying to beg me. As I walked out to the front door, I stopped to give the house that made me happy one last look before I walked out and closed the door behind me. “Ma’am?” “To my parent’s house, please.” The drive to my parent’s house took almost forty-five minutes because of traffic but as soon as we got there, my heart churned at the thought of my Mom’s reaction. She was always rooting for our marriage but as she always told me, “If you reach a point where you have to constantly ask yourself if your partner cares for you, then you are in the wrong place, Always choose yourself and your happiness’. I stood in front of my parents’ house and it still looked beautiful as always.
The beautifully manicured gardens with flowers that my Mom loved tending to, the lush green lawns, and tall swaying trees. I exhaled sharply as I reached for the doorbell, “you can do this,” I encouraged myself before I pressed the doorbell, and Lydia, my childhood nanny, opened it. “Tara, you are home!” She exclaimed as she rushed to hug me and I smiled. “Yes, it is nice to see you too, Lydia. Where is Mom? And please, show my driver my room; he has to take the suitcases upstairs.” “You are in luck today; your Mom is at home but your father is away for business, I will call her for you. Please have a seat; you must be tired.” She blabbed. I smiled and slumped my tired and frail body on the couch. Being at home made me forget about the whole Mark ordeal; I felt at peace.
Fortunately, my Mom was walking downstairs when she heard Lydia say, “Call me why?” She asked but when her eyes landed on me, she almost ran half of the stairs just to get to me. “Honey, you are home! My prayers have been answered finally! You never visit your folks.” She cheered as she pulled me in a tight hug that left me teary. I didn’t know I needed that hug until she hugged me, I felt at peace and I found myself crying on her shoulders. “What is wrong, my dear?” She asked as she pulled away and that made me cry even more. She walked me to the couch and made me sit down, her hands still in mine. She reached for the tears on my face and wiped them with the back of her hands.
“Tell me, what happened?” She queried as she cross-examined me and I exhaled sharply. My voice was shaky, my hands were trembling and my eyes were teary but my Mom was the only comfort I needed at the moment. She saw my driver pulling the suitcases in the house and it dawned on her. “It is about Mark, isn’t it? What did he do to you? Did he hit you?” “No, Mom! And yes, it is about my marriage. It is over, Mom! Mark and I are done for good. I just divorced him.” I blurted out and she looked at me confused. When she finally found her voice, she asked, “What? why?” “He cheated on me with my best friend, Mia. I couldn’t take it anymore, and I couldn’t stay under the same roof with him.” I emphasized and instead of scolding me for making a rush decision whilst angry, she pulled me in a hug and let me cry on her shoulders