that morning everything seemed as usual I woke up to the sound of the alarm took a shower got dressed for work and headed out for my meetings but during one of my lunch breaks I met a woman who would forever change my life this encounter as if planned dragged me into a deep void a few words from her lips echoed in my mind and turned my world upside down your wife is cheating on you and it's with my husband something inside me broke but the real truth was still waiting for me that day started like any other Friday I woke up went through my usual routine and attended a few meetings throughout the day negotiating multiple deals lost in the busy pace of work I decided to have lunch at the gallery across from the office when noon arrived as I was sitting there with my sandwich a woman took the seat next to me while grabbing my drink she spoke softly you don't need to move anything from me John looking into her deep eyes I couldn't help but ask do I know you she gave a slight smile and shook her head no we've never met before she said and honestly I wish we didn't have to meet now either I was at a loss for words this beautiful woman sitting in front of me who knew me but whom I didn't know what could she possibly want she extended her hand and introduced herself sorry my name is Stella Holmes we shook hands she continued I'll only take a few minutes of your time there's something we need to talk about with questions swirling in my head I looked around thinking maybe someone was playing a prank on me but seeing no one I turned back to her and said I don't know you so I have no idea what you want to talk about maybe I should just go as I tried to gather my things and leave her hand gently touched mine please John just give me 10 minutes after that I won't bother you again I left my food and turned to her all right you have 10 minutes I said starting the stopwatch on my watch she began speaking slowly almost in a whisper John my husband has been having an affair for the last 6 months and that woman is your wife sue the moment I heard her words they echoed in my ears but my mind refused to accept them Stella I'm really sorry but I think you've got the wrong person my wife loves me and I love her we've been married for about 15 years and I bet I'm the only man she's ever known I said but the sadness in Stella's eyes seemed to contradict my words she pulled a thick envelope out of her bag and placed it in front of her I'm really sorry John she said I know how hard this is but everything I've told you is true The Other Woman is definitely Sue she placed her finger on the envelope and added inside this envelope are photos a DVD and a private investigator's report as I took the envelope she held my hand and looking into my eyes added please John watch this after I leave my advice is to not open it until you've had some time alone it will take time to go through everything but it will take even longer to process what the hell is this woman I snapped raising my voice slightly what do you want from me her voice was calm but firm I've told you John your wife is cheating with my husband you're asking what I want aren't you she paused for a moment lowered her eyes and took a deep breath I don't want anything from you I just just want your forgiveness I was even more confused now forgiveness why would I forgive you Stella slowly stood up and there was a deep silence between us I've given you all the information you need who needs forgiveness is up to you to decide but let me tell you this I had to tell you this personally you deserve that secondly I want your wife out of Justins in my life then she leaned in and whispered in my ear I believe Sue loves you so please pleas think carefully about how you'll respond to this don't just react in pain that was the hardest part for me but I hope everything will change as Stella began walking away without looking back I grabbed her hand and asked one last question what will you do about your husband she gave me a cold smile and answered with a Stern voice I'll confront him on Sunday after that if he can't convince me within a week that he'll never cheat again I'll leave him without his reputation his money and in his manhood when I returned to the office I couldn't find a place to open the envelope so I waited for the day to end when I got home it was 6:30 p. m. I dropped my bag on the floor and headed to the bedroom Sue was watching TV as soon as she saw me she jumped up hugged me tightly and planted a kiss on my lips she had greeted me like this every day since we got married smiling at me she asked you're home early today what's going on she replied playfully that sounds like a great idea but I can't do tomorrow I asked curiously why not do you have a date with another man she playfully tapped my shoulder laughing what a terrible accusation I'm volunteering at the church's annual auction I'll be busy all day now apologize I searched her face for any sign of a lie but found nothing I hugged her tightly and whispered an apology but inside I was filled with questions after dinner I loaded my fish gear into the car once everything was ready I sat down in front of the TV for a while but I couldn't sleep that night around 1:00 a.
m. I noticed Sue cuddling close to me she gently moved her hand toward me and realizing I was awake whispered in my ear are you awake I can't sleep I murmured she giggled softly can't sleep or can't manage some fun but with those words echoing in my head nothing felt right I tossed and turned in bed until 4:00 a. m.
