After My Husband Cheated with My Best Friend

I ended my fellowship course early and returned to the United States. As soon as I got off the plane, I saw Erick Lawrence standing in the waiting area. Dressed in a black trench coat, he appeared intense, focused intently on the exit. Such a handsome man, with so much emotion in his eyes, was truly captivating, especially with a bouquet of red roses in his hand, blooming vibrantly.

Erick rarely displayed such grandeur. After being his wife for five years, I knew him well. He must have found out about my early return and come to the airport to pick me up. Just as I was about to walk over, a visibly pregnant woman hurried past me and leapt into his arms: "Honey, the baby and I missed you so much."

Erick held her tightly, and the romantic scene drew applause and cheers from onlookers. I gripped the handle of my suitcase tightly; he was her husband—what about my husband?

...

I froze at the exit, only to be bumped by someone's suitcase from behind. "Why are you just standing there? Can't you see there’s someone behind you?" they grumbled loudly.

The loving couple was disturbed by the commotion. Erick lifted his gaze and his eyes met mine through the crowd. I couldn't tell who felt more awkward.

Discovering your husband is cheating at the airport—it sounds like the kind of soap opera plot no one dares to write.

The stiffness in Erick made the woman in his arms suspicious. She followed his gaze, and upon seeing me, her face turned pale. It turned out we all knew each other; I hadn't recognized her from behind, but the pregnant woman was none other than my best friend, Cassandra Robinson.

I took a deep breath and walked over. Cassandra's face was ashen, and she quickly hid behind Erick, mumbling, "Eden, you're back."

The grip on my suitcase turned my knuckles white as I looked directly into Erick's eyes and asked with difficulty, "Can someone explain what's happening here?"

"If I hadn’t come back early, I might never have known that the two most important people in my life had simultaneously betrayed me."

Cassandra stepped forward as if to explain but then touched her obviously pregnant belly and returned to Erick's side, looking at me with a pitiful expression, "I'm sorry, Eden, we didn't mean to keep it from you..."

I didn’t miss the fleeting look of triumph in Cassandra's eyes, and I raised my hand, delivering a sharp slap.

The sound of the slap shocked Cassandra, and no one expected the usually gentle me to hit someone.

Erick comforted Cassandra tenderly and frowned at me, "I wanted to tell you sooner but worried it would affect your studies, so I didn’t. Cassie said you valued your education greatly, and if it affected your studies, she would feel guilty."

"Everything Cassie did was for your sake. You should understand her good intentions."

"If you're going to blame someone, blame me. It’s all my fault."

Cassandra covered her face, her eyes red, looking at me, trying to speak but not daring, just sniffling and saying, "Eden, can we talk at home?"

Home? My and Erick’s home, or her and Erick’s home?

I didn’t want to know anymore. This sudden shock hit me like a ton of bricks. I tightly gripped the handle, trying to maintain the last shred of dignity. I replied slowly, "No need, my mentor sent a car for me."

"Now I just want to know one thing: how long have you been together?"

Cassandra, holding her belly, fearfully stepped back, and Erick stepped forward, shielding her behind him. "The timing doesn’t matter anymore. The child she's carrying is mine. If you want to yell or hit, go ahead. Since you don’t want us to take you home, we’ll talk at home later."

The two walked away arm in arm, leaving me standing at the airport with my heart feeling as hollow as a winter wind blowing through a valley.

The anticipation and joy of flying thousands of miles had turned into the biggest joke of all.