Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

“That’s it, is it? Our whole relationship is being thrown out the window over a stupid mistake?”

I stop and spin around to face him as I walk past with the second suitcase. “Buying decaf coffee instead of regular is a mistake. Miscounting the change in your pocket is a mistake. This? This is betrayal, complete and utter betrayal, there's no ifs or buts about it.” My eyes flit between his, trying to see a single bit of remorse, but finding none as I deliver my last blow. “I tried to make it work, I wanted to move past all of our problems, but I won't do it anymore. This was the icing on the cake; you fucked up for the last time.”

Walking down the stairs with the second suitcase, I hear him call my name but I don’t turn back, not wanting to see him. He calls my name again not once, but three times, each time sounding angrier than the last. So I flip him off over my shoulder, feeling a sense of urgency to get out of here and to my friend’s house.

It’s nearly been a week since Gerry admitted he’d been cheating on me. I’ve spent this time thinking a lot about what I want to do. I love my job, but I’ve made the hard decision to return home to my mom so I handed my notice into my boss. She was sad that I’m leaving, but I need to get away from here and start fresh.

As the days have gone by, my head’s clearing and I’m finally seeing things for what they really were all along. He’d been treating me like this for years but I was too blind, not able to see it.

With no job and not wanting to outstay my welcome at my friend, Heather’s, I say my goodbye’s and drive over to my old house. It’s time I got the rest of my things and cut all ties with Gerry, but as I stand here staring at the house that I once called home, I can’t bring myself to walk in there.

I wish he wasn’t here while I packed up, but I know he’s inside because I saw him walk past the kitchen window not too long ago.

I blow out an audible breath, painting a smile on my face as I walk up the driveway. This needs to be done so I can move on with my life.

My hand hesitates on the door handle; do I knock? I decide that I should since it’s no longer my home. Lifting a shaky hand, I rap on the white wooden surface three times and wait. It’s not long before I hear footsteps padding toward me before the door opens and I’m faced with a laughing Gerry.

As soon as he sees it’s me, the smile he’s wearing drops from his face and a frown replaces it. “Harmony, you should have called.”

My brow pulls down into a frown and I fold my arms over my chest. “Last time I checked, you were the one in the wrong here, so don’t dictate when I can show up to my own home. I’m going to get the rest of my things and I’ll be out of here before you know it.” My gaze roams down his body; he’s not wearing a shirt so I quickly tear my eyes away from him, not wanting him to see me gawking. “So… can I come in?” God this is awkward.

He clears his throat as his hand scrubs at the back of his neck before he opens the door wider, inviting me in. “I boxed up all of your art supplies that were in the hallway closet, your cushions and canvases too. The only thing I didn’t touch were the drawers full of your lotions and potions, and the rest of your clothes and shoes.” He points to three full boxes. “I... I can load your car with these boxes while you pack, if you want?”

I don’t know what to say, I never thought this would be us; talking about packing up and moving my stuff out of our marital home and into my car like we’re talking about the weather. But he’s a stranger to me now, long gone is the sweet man that I married.

“Erm, sure, thanks.” I place my car keys in his outstretched hand and point to an empty box that is leaned up against the wall. “Can I use that?”

He nods, so I pick it up and walk up the stairs and into the bathroom, emptying my side of the built-in drawers and moving onto the measly amount of clothes and shoes that I left behind.

I’m placing one of my favorite scarves into the box when he appears in the doorway to what was our bedroom, leaning against the doorframe.

“Here, I’ll carry that down for you,” he offers, stepping forward and picking up the box.

“Thanks,” I mutter and frown as he walks out with the box; he’s almost being too nice. Looking around the room, it seems I’ve got everything of importance, so I guess this is it—apart from the grueling process of divorce and the long drive back to Mom’s.

I’m about to follow him out the front door and to my car when I hear a girly giggle coming from inside the house so I spin around, trying to find the source.

“Harmony, wait!” Gerry shouts after me, but I’m already on the move, storming into the kitchen and finding a scantily clad brunette who can’t be much older than twenty perched at the table.

She’s wearing one of Gerry’s white shirts, her lacey bra peeking out of the top, but that’s all she seems to be wearing. Her eyes widen at the sight of me and dart around, looking for a getaway without coming into contact with me.

My blood boils and I walk over to her, ripping the stupid, pink cellphone out of her hand and throwing it across the room. I hear it crack against one of the walls but I’m past the point of being angry to care.

I corner her in and point in her flushed face. “You homewrecker!”

“I—”

“I don’t want to hear your fucking excuses! How could you do that to someone? Did you not see the wedding ring on his finger?”

“Gerry!” she shouts, stumbling as she tries to stand up.

I match her movements until I’m pulled back into a familiar body, feeling his hot, bare skin against my back as he restrains me so I don’t do anything stupid.

“Get off me!” I shout, wriggling out of his arms and looking at them both, standing there with their mouths hanging open. “I hope you’re very happy together. Although, I don’t know how you’ll ever be able trust him. Once a cheater, always a cheater, right?”

“Harm—”

I silence him with my hand and shake my head. “I’ll be calling an attorney when I get to my mom’s, I’ll contact you through them. I was trying to be the bigger person by coming here today and being civil.” My fists clench as I look between him and his whore. “But you obviously couldn’t wait for me to be gone.”