Chapter 3
Stella's POV
A week after the plumbing incident, I made a decision. When Theo announced yet another "business trip," I secretly enrolled in an online basic medical course. This was the first time in years I'd made a decision for myself, without needing anyone's permission.
He won't notice anyway, I thought bitterly. He's barely home these days.
That evening, I was preparing dinner when my phone rang. Jason was at a friend's for a sleepover, and Theo was supposedly working late, leaving the house suffocatingly quiet.
"Foster residence, who's calling?" I answered while stirring the pasta sauce.
"Sandra?" An unfamiliar female voice sounded anxious. "The hotel arrangements are all set. Theo said you'd handle the rest. The credit card number is—"
I froze. "I'm sorry, you have the wrong person. This is Stella, Theo's wife."
Silence hung for a few seconds. "Oh God... I'm... I'm sorry, I must have dialed wrong." She hung up quickly.
I stood there, thunderstruck. Sandra. A name starting with S. The mysterious texts, frequent overtime, this strange call... all the pieces suddenly fit together in my mind.
No, impossible. I must be overthinking. He always says I'm paranoid...
Just then, a weak moan came from Jason's room. Strange—wasn't he at his friend's?
Opening the door, I was startled. Jason lay in bed, face flushed, his forehead burning hot. "Mom... I don't feel good..."
"How did you get home?" I stroked his burning cheek, feeling panic rise.
"Jake's mom said I looked sick... drove me back," he answered weakly. "I'm so cold..."
The thermometer read 103.5. I frantically called Theo, only to be sent straight to voicemail. I tried three more times with the same result.
Damn it, where ARE you when we need you?
Just as I was about to take Jason to the emergency room, the doorbell rang. When I opened it, I was surprised to see Austin standing there.
"Mrs. Foster, sorry to bother you so late," he explained, looking slightly embarrassed. "I think I left some of my tools here during my last repair visit..."
"Austin," I nearly broke down, "my son has a high fever, I can't reach his father... I was just about to take him to the hospital."
His expression immediately turned serious. "I can drive you there right now."
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the emergency room. Austin not only drove us there but also helped carry the semi-conscious Jason, calming us both with his steady voice. He stayed by my side while the doctor examined Jason.
"You should try calling your husband again," he suggested gently. "I'll get you both some water."
The nurse had just told me Jason needed an IV but was stable, though they wanted to keep him overnight for observation. I dialed Theo again, finally getting through.
"What is it? I'm in an important meeting," he answered impatiently.
I swallowed my anger. "Jason has a high fever. We're at St. Mary's Hospital."
"What? How did this happen?" He sounded shocked and annoyed. "How were you watching him? Wasn't he fine at his friend's?"
Of course, it's MY fault again. It's ALWAYS my fault.
"He got sick and came home," I kept my voice steady. "The doctor says he needs to stay overnight."
"Damn it, I'll be right there." He hung up.
When Austin returned with water, his eyes were full of concern. "Everything okay?"
"Theo's on his way," I forced a smile. "Thank you... for everything tonight. I don't know what I would've done without you."
"Don't mention it," he smiled. "Anyone would have done the same."
An hour later, Theo finally showed up, his suit impeccable, hair perfect—not looking at all like someone just pulled from an "important meeting."
"How's Jason?" He walked straight to the bed without even glancing at me.
"He's stable," I explained. "Doctor says it's the flu. They want to keep him overnight."
Only then did Theo notice Austin standing in the corner, his brow immediately furrowing. "What's he doing here?"
"Austin helped us—"
"I don't need the details." He cut me off, turning to Austin. "Thanks for your help, but we're family here. We don't need outsiders anymore."
Austin nodded and was about to leave when Theo's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting slightly before declining the call.
"I need to handle something," he suddenly announced. "Since Jason's okay, I have to head back to the office briefly. You can manage, right?"
I stared at him in disbelief. "Our son is in the hospital and you're leaving?"
"Just for a while," he said impatiently. "Some documents need my signature tonight. Don't make a big deal out of this. I'll be back soon."
Before I could respond, he was already heading toward the elevator. Austin hesitated, clearly unsure what to do.
"I... I'm going to get some coffee," my voice shook. "You can go now, Austin. Really, thank you for your help tonight."
"I'll come with you," he said with concern. "You look like you could use some support."
The hospital café was on the first floor. As the elevator doors opened, my world collapsed in that instant.
Less than twenty feet away, in a secluded corner of the hallway, Theo had his arms wrapped tightly around a shapely blonde woman. He was kissing her lips with practiced intimacy, as if he'd done it countless times before. Just then, I clearly heard him say:
"Sandra, baby, everything will be sorted out soon..."
I froze, an icy chill running from my feet upward. But they were so absorbed in each other, they hadn't even noticed the elevator doors opening.
Fifteen years. Fifteen years of marriage. This is my reward.
My vision blurred as an invisible hand seemed to squeeze my chest, making it impossible to breathe. Without thinking, I instinctively turned and ran toward the emergency exit on the opposite side, tears obscuring my vision.
"Stella! Wait!" Austin called, chasing after me, but I didn't stop.
I burst into the night, the cold air stinging my lungs, but nothing compared to the pain in my heart. I ran until my legs weakened, finally collapsing in a corner of the hospital parking lot.
"Stella!" Austin finally caught up, gently holding my shoulders. "Don't do this. You can't run off alone."
I finally broke down, tears streaming down my face. "Fifteen years... fifteen years of marriage... all lies... and my son is upstairs with a fever, while he's..." I couldn't continue.
"Let me take you home. You can't drive like this."
But I shook my head, feeling nauseous. "I can't go back to that house... I just can't..."
"Then come to my apartment," he hesitantly suggested. "Just until you calm down."
Austin's apartment was small but neat, with bookshelves full of medical textbooks. He handed me a glass of whiskey, which I downed in one gulp, the burning sensation in my throat making me feel something real.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly, sitting on the couch across from me.
"I suspected... but I told myself I was being paranoid. He even convinced me I had delusions." I laughed bitterly. "And now my son is upstairs with a fever while he's meeting his lover at the hospital."
I took another drink, tears flowing uncontrollably. I poured out years of neglect, dismissal, and suspicion to Austin, words I'd suppressed for too long flooding out like a broken dam.
"You deserve better, Stella," Austin's eyes met mine directly. "You deserve to be respected, seen, heard."
I looked up at him, my vision slightly blurred from the alcohol, suddenly realizing this young man was the only one who truly saw me.
Tears welled up again as I whispered, "Why has no one ever looked at me the way you do?"
"Because they don't know how to appreciate a true treasure," he answered softly.
I don't remember who moved closer first, only that his lips were warm with a hint of beer. Our kiss started hesitantly, then grew urgent.
Let me forget this damned marriage, just for tonight.