I Stopped Outside The Bedroom When I Heard My Cheating Wife Scream: “Have Me, Brad, Have Me!”

She moved up the career ladder, not too quickly, but steadily. She was on her way to a high position. Sophia continued, You know, I loved dating you in high school and I always hoped that it might turn into something more. I was sad when you left town after high school. When I found out you went to the Navy, I thought you were out of my life forever.

When I heard that you were back, I was delighted. I was going to reconnect with you, especially since I had finally grown into my body and knew for sure that as soon as you saw me, we would hit it off again. Maybe you might not have been interested in me when I was a brat in high school, but now that I’m a full-fledged woman, you definitely wouldn’t be able to resist.

But when I saw you with that woman and the way you were after her, my heart broke again. I just knew that we would never have anything. I was so upset that I basically locked myself in my apartment for almost a year. I even took medical leave for about 6 months. It’s amazing what you can get a doctor to write on the form, but I just couldn’t go out into the city and risk meeting you with that woman.

I was angry at you for passing me by and at her for stealing my man. After a while, I decided that I needed to get over it. I pulled myself out of the apartment and started working again. My job allowed me to work from home as much as I needed, so I didn’t lose my job, but I finally realized that I can’t stay closed off forever.

A year later, I thought I had finally gotten over it. I met Brad. We started dating and I thought I loved him, so I said yes when he proposed. Brad was a really nice man, although not overly ambitious. He always treated me well. We were married for 2 years, but something felt wrong. One day it became clear to me he’s just not you.

My feelings for you didn’t go away. I just buried them. Maybe I should have asked for a refund from my therapist. When I filed for divorce from Brad, he wasn’t surprised. He just said that somehow he always knew that my heart wasn’t in it. He didn’t resist the divorce and we separated, each with our own. Nothing more, nothing less.

She stopped when she noticed that I was staring at her. What’s wrong, Red? I responded. Wow, that sounds like real fictional stuff. Did you think this was some kind of cheesy romantic comedy? These things only happen in movies. Maybe you really needed a better therapist. She looked shocked. Oh god. I didn’t mean this.

Oh no. I thought it would be different. Sophia trailed off and looked like she was about to have a complete meltdown when she noticed I was laughing loudly. Sophia hit me on the arm, presumably playfully. Still hurt a little, but she laughed, too. You you really scared me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to.

You know, it’s strange to me that someone could miss me so much, although it’s nice, of course. Hell, maybe it was one of those stupid romantic comedies. We spent a lot more time at Jimmy’s bar than we expected. Not so much that we had to be carried out in a taxi or anything like that. Jimmy’s bar didn’t tolerate heavy drinking, but enough that we both wanted to call a taxi.

To save money, we decided to share a taxi and maybe steal a few more minutes together. Seemed too soon to me. Why did it seem so? We stopped at her entrance. She had a hesitant smile on her face as we both walked out. I realized she was hesitating about one more drink. Time to take the initiative into my own hands. I leaned into the taxi and asked the driver to wait a minute.

He didn’t care since the meter was still running. I turned to Sophia and said, Listen, can I get your number? I’d like to see you again. When she dictated the numbers, I entered them into the phone and then sent her a text message. Here, now you have my number, too. About one more drink, that would be great, but if it leads anywhere, we hopefully have a whole life ahead of us.

I’d really like it to be the right life, if you know what I mean. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and climbed back into the taxi. As we drove away, I looked back and saw that she had a silly smile on her face. Just before the taxi turned the corner, I saw her turn and walk up the steps to the entrance of her building.

Will our meeting be something more? Only God knows, but I think I’d like to try. But that’s a story for another day. As for Emily and Brad, I never heard from them again. I learned through friends that Emily quickly returned to San Diego, apparently without Brad. Brad was seen once or twice around town, but I quietly made it clear that I didn’t like people who interfered in my life and that I might take exception to someone in, say, a dark alley.

I didn’t really care about someone like him, but I thought it would be amusing to make him a little nervous. After a few months, they also stopped seeing Brad. Let him go wherever he wanted. It’s been nearly a year now since the divorce. The renovation business is booming. Jack and I have even hired two full-time employees to keep up with demand.

I’ve almost completely renovated my house and it’s becoming the home I always knew it could be. The kitchen now has custom cabinets I built myself with granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. The bathrooms all feature modern fixtures and beautiful tile work. I even converted the fourth bedroom into a home office where I can draw up renovation plans and handle the business paperwork.

Sophia and I have been dating steadily. She’s everything Emily wasn’t. Supportive, kind, and genuinely interested in me and my work. She often stops by job sites to bring lunch for the crew, and she’s even picked up some basic carpentry skills helping me finish projects around my house on weekends. Her business degree has also been invaluable in helping us streamline our company operations and improve our marketing.

Last month, I took her to meet my parents for Sunday dinner. Mom pulled me aside afterward and whispered, “This one’s a keeper, Red. Don’t let her get away.” Dad gave me a knowing nod of approval. They were right, of course. I’ve been carrying around a small velvet box in my truck for the past 2 weeks waiting for the right moment.

I’m thinking of proposing at the lake where we used to go in high school. I’ve already started sketching plans for a nursery addition to the house, just in case we need it someday. Sometimes life gives you lemons, and sometimes it gives you a second chance at happiness. I’m just grateful I had the courage to end what wasn’t working and open myself to what could be.

As for the lottery ticket that changed everything, I had it framed. It hangs in my workshop as a reminder that sometimes the smallest investments can yield the greatest returns. People often ask me if I have any regrets about how things turned out. The truth is I don’t. While I wasted 8 years of my life with the wrong person, that experience taught me exactly what I didn’t want in a relationship.

It made me appreciate Sophia’s genuine nature all the more. Jack sometimes jokes that I should send Emily a thank you card for leaving. “Best thing that ever happened to you, mate.” he says with a laugh. He’s not wrong. The renovation business has expanded beyond our wildest expectations. We’ve moved from mainly doing kitchens and bathrooms to taking on larger projects, whole house renovations, and even some small commercial jobs.

Our reputation for quality work and fair pricing has spread throughout the county. We’re booked solid for the next 6 months. My parents have become more involved in my life again. Dad’s leg healed completely, and he’s been teaching me some of the finer points of carpentry that he learned from his father.

He helped me build a set of custom bookshelves for Sophia’s apartment last month. Mom keeps not-so-subtly asking when I’m going to make an honest woman out of Sophia. I just smile and change the subject. I’ve learned that happiness isn’t found in the big house or the fancy car. It’s in the quiet moments, sharing coffee with Sophia on Sunday mornings, the satisfaction of standing back and looking at a perfectly completed renovation job, having a beer with Jack after a long day’s work, or the simple pleasure of dinner with my parents. Last

week, I ran into Rachel at the courthouse while filing some permits for a commercial renovation. She smiled when she saw me and asked how things were going. I told her about the business and about Sophia. She seemed genuinely happy for me. “You know,” she said, “I’ve been practicing family law for over 20 years, and it’s rare that I get to see a genuine happy ending.

Most of my clients either stay miserable or trade one kind of misery for another. You’re one of the exceptions.” I thanked her for everything she had done for me. Without her creative thinking and legal expertise, I might have lost everything. “Just don’t need my services again,” she warned with a wink.

“The second time around is even more expensive.” I assured her that wouldn’t be necessary. I’ve learned my lesson well. As I drive through town in my work truck, I sometimes pass by the Valero where I bought that fateful lottery ticket. I occasionally stop in for a sandwich and a friendly chat with the cashier. I haven’t bought another lottery ticket, though.

I figure I’ve already won the only jackpot that matters. Tonight’s the night. The ring is in my pocket, and I’ve reserved a table at the nicest restaurant in town. Afterward, we’ll walk by the lake under the stars, and I’ll ask Sophia to spend the rest of her life with me. I’m nervous, of course, but it’s a good kind of nervous, the kind that comes from anticipating something wonderful rather than dreading something terrible.

That’s the biggest difference between my life then and now. I used to wake up each morning wondering what new disappointment the day would bring. Now I wake up excited about the possibilities ahead. That shift in perspective is worth more than any lottery jackpot could ever be. Sometimes the greatest renovations aren’t the ones we do to our houses, but the ones we make to our lives.