Did he really? Laura choked on her coffee, eyes fixed on her mate.
Olivia sat opposite, hunched over her mug, the world inside her feeling burnt out, a hollow void. Her fingers lay limp on the table, her gaze stuck somewhere distant.
Cheated, she whispered. With a colleague. I found their messages.
Laura let out a heavy sigh, shook her head.
Blimey all the blokes are the same, Ollie. My husband did the same a few years back. I thought Id never get past the pain. Thought my life was over.
Olivia lifted her eyes, a flicker of hope theremaybe someone would get what she was feeling. And? How did you cope? she asked.
Laura shrugged. I didnt. He was on his knees begging forgiveness, begging me not to take Liam away. Said it was a mistake, that hed never do it again. I thought for three days, then I forgave him. What else could I do?
Olivia went back to stirring her coffee, even though she hadnt put any sugar in. She needed something to keep her hands busy.
I dont know what to do, Laura, she admitted, voice low. Im honestly lost.
Laura laughed, a kind of nervous giggle, as if they were chatting about a new dress rather than a shattered marriage.
Listen, can you squeeze something out of him? An expensive present, a holiday, money for a coat. Let him pay for his mistake in full. Then you can forgive him and move on. After all, its family, not some fleeting fling.
Olivia felt a knot tighten at those words. Money? Gifts? Could any of that make up for betrayal?
How did you ever start trusting him again after the affair? Olivia asked, eyes meeting Lauras. How does anyone even think about that?
Laura waved it off. I forgot about it ages ago. Its in the past, I dont look back. Youll get there too. Just dont keep circling the same thought. Time heals. Dont make a mountain out of a molehill or blame him every single day.
They chatted about trivialities for a bit longer, finished their coffees, and said goodbye at the café door. Olivia walked home slowly. Waiting for her was Victor, whod cheated with someone from the next department, tearing apart a sevenyear marriage in one fell swoop.
Could she forgive? She didnt know.
At home Victor swirled around her like a loyal dog, brewing tea, asking if she wanted a snack, bringing a blanket when she sank onto the sofa. He apologisedten, twenty, a hundred times a day. He brought flowers almost daily, turning the flat into a little greenhouse.
But inside Olivia felt something had gone dark. She looked at Victor and only saw the man whod betrayed her.
Olly, I brought your favourite roses, Victor said one evening, handing over another bouquet.
Olivia took the flowers mechanically and set them in a vase, feeling neither joy nor gratitudejust doing what she had to.
At the weekend she drove up to her mums place, needing to vent to someone in the family, to hear some advice.
Sitting at the familiar kitchen table, Olivia confessed, I cant forgive, Mum. Im trying, I swear, but it just wont work. Everything flips inside me when I look at Victor. I keep thinking about leaving.
Her mum snapped around, almost shouting. What are you saying, Olly? All men cheat, every single one. Its normal. Youre being way too picky, thats the problem. Youre a married woman, youve got to endure. Otherwise youll end up alone and nobody will want you!
Olivia tried to argue, But Mum, this is my life. My feelings. Do I just swallow my pride? How do I live with a man whos stabbed me in the back?
Her mum snorted dismissively. Pride? Do you even hear yourself, love? Youre thirtytwo! Whos going to look at you at that age? Victors a good bloke, works hard, doesnt drink. He slipped up oncewho hasnt? Youd just forgive and forget.
Olivia left with a heavy heart. Everyone kept saying the same thing: forgive, forget, endure.
Victor was making dinner, chopping veg for a salad, humming to himself. Olivia used to find it endearing, now it made her gag. Every move he made irritated her; she stared at his back and wanted to scream.
A week later her motherinlaw, Zoe, dropped by. Victor wasnt homehed gone out so the women could talk alone.
Zoe settled into a chair, forcing a smile. Olivia, dear, my son did a terrible thing, I know. Youre such a proper, sweet girl, and hes let you down. But hes apologised, right? He asked for forgiveness, so he must have realised his mistake and feels remorse.
Olivia sat on the couch, hands clenched. Zoe, Im in a lot of pain. I cant just pick up and forgive. Its not that simple.
Zoe leaned forward, her eyes hard. Cant? Youre supposed to forgive my son. Do you think youre the only one whos been cheated on? Loads of wives put up with it and go on living. You think youre special?
I dont want to. I dont want to put up with it.
Zoe raised her voice. What do you want then? To be single? At your age, no ones chasing you. And you should have a kid soononce you have a child, a husband wont look elsewhere; hell be busy with the family.
Zoe left Olivia to stew in her thoughts. Everyone around her kept insisting she should forgive, ignoring her hurt, ignoring that something inside her had finally cracked.
For the next two weeks Olivia swung between wanting to keep the family together and realising she no longer trusted Victor.
One evening Victor suggested they go out to a café, like the good old days. Olivia agreed, hoping it might clear something up.
They were at a table when Olivia slipped into the restroom to splash some cold water on her face. The chill helped her think. She weighed everything again and decided to give him another chance.
But the moment she walked back, Victor was chatting with the waitress, hand on her wrist, smiling the way he hadnt smiled at her in ages, whispering something.
Thats when Olivia realised she could never truly forgive. Shed never be able to forget, to move on. If Victor kept talking to other women, shed be haunted by suspicion and torment forevera life she couldnt bear.
She approached the table. Victor looked up, removed his hand, and gave a guilty grin.
Can we get the bill, please? Olivia said calmly.
Victor stared at her, bewildered.
But we havent even eaten yet.
I need to go home.
She didnt shout, didnt throw a tantrum. She just waited for the check while glancing past Victor.
Back at the flat, Olivia headed to the bedroom, grabbed her bag.
Im leaving, Victor.
What? Olly, what are you saying? he stalled in the doorway.
Ive thought it through. This marriage isnt for me. You need to find a woman who wont be rattled by infidelity. I cant get past this betrayal. Ill never forget.
Victor tried to grab her hand, but she slipped away.
Olly, wait, lets talk!
Theres nothing to talk about. Its over.
She packed her things, called a taxi. Victor begged, promised anything, but Olivia stopped listening. It no longer mattered.
Soon she filed for divorce.
Calls kept coming. Her mum cried on the phone, calling her foolish, naïve. Laura said Olivia had destroyed the family herself. Zoe screamed that the daughterinlaw had ruined a solid marriage.
I didnt destroy anything, Olivia replied evenly. Victor did when he cheated. Now Im only looking after myself.
Three years later
Olivia was brewing coffee in a kitchen of a new flat in Manchester.
Max entered, wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Morning, love.
Olivia turned, kissed his cheek.
Theyd met a year ago, both survivors of betrayal. Both knew that pain. Olivia felt sure Max would never betray her. Never.
And thats where her story stands now.
