Setting Myself Free

A piercing ringing filled my ears as I watched the scene unfold. They made me feel like the villain for wanting Sheena to leave, even though I was Caleb's wife.

I could not understand how Caleb had changed so dramatically from the man I had married. He had once been so kind, loving me more than anyone ever had.

My story was not an easy one—my father passed away when I was young, leaving my mother to raise me alone.

She worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, often looking guilty when she could not provide the same luxuries other children had. Nonetheless, she made sure I got into a good college.

I met Caleb there. He was brilliant and kind, and he never judged my humble background.

When other students whispered behind my back, calling me bad luck because of my father's death, Caleb always defended me. I truly believed I had found my soulmate.

After graduation, we married and were blessed by everyone's well wishes, including my mother's. Yet, she had fallen ill before I could repay her for all her sacrifices.

She told me she was content and had no regrets, especially when I had married Caleb.

On her deathbed, she made Caleb promise, saying, "Harper has had such a hard life. Please take care of her."

Caleb had responded earnestly, "Don't worry. I'll protect Harper and never let her suffer again."

I was naive enough to believe his words. After my mother passed, Caleb gradually changed. He became impatient with me and showed little respect for the funeral arrangements.

He started coming home late and rarely replied to my messages, always claiming he was working overtime. I finally knew the truth—his heart had belonged to someone else.

Throughout the rest of the funeral, Caleb remained cold and distant, leaving me to handle all the guests alone. When people asked about his behavior, I made excuses about him feeling unwell.

After the funeral, I returned home exhausted. However, Caleb was nowhere to be found. As I reflected on the day's events, my heart swelled with frustration, and I finally broke down crying.

"Mom, Dad, I miss you so much," I whispered into the empty house.

Caleb was all I had left, but his heart seemed elsewhere. The thought of losing him was almost unbearable.

Finally, I heard the sound of keys turning in the door. Caleb was back, and I wanted to discuss the situation, hoping we could salvage our relationship.

Yet, Caleb tossed his jacket on the couch and headed straight to the shower without acknowledging me. The sound of running water filled the apartment.

Just then, his phone chimed from his jacket pocket. I never checked his phone before, but after today's events, my curiosity got the better of me.

Sure enough, the messages were from Sheena. Moreover, her chat was pinned at the top.

[Sheena: Daddy, are you home yet?]

[Sheena: Daddy, why aren't you responding? I'm getting upset!]

[Sheena: Still ignoring me? You'll have to make it up to me by buying me two new bags and delivering them to my place tomorrow!]

The world seemed to stop as I stared at the screen.

Those were just the recent messages, and as I scrolled up, my stomach turned. The earlier conversations were even worse.

Caleb and Sheena had been seeing each other secretly for months, and the way she called him Daddy made me sick to my stomach.