Valerie had been married for 15 years. During that time, she managed to buy a house, a car, and raise two children. Her husband was a serious and responsible man who worked hard.
— I’m grateful to fate for meeting my husband, — she told her friends.
— You’re lucky, Val. Frederick is a wonderful father, a loving and faithful husband.
Frederick and Valerie were an ordinary family. They occasionally argued, made up, and got annoyed over trifles. But overall, they lived relatively peacefully. Valerie wasn’t jealous. She knew her husband loved her. She, too, gave him no reason for jealousy.
— And you’ve never once cheated on him? — her friend Victoria asked.
— Not once. Why would I? I see no need for it, — Valerie replied.
— Why? Ask our Ellen. She’s already on her fifth lover. Can’t seem to settle down. I’m still amazed at how she manages to keep it all from her husband for so long.
— But she dines at fancy restaurants, dresses gorgeously, and drives a brand-new car. That takes some skill.
— I don’t know, girls. I think Valerie’s doing great. Her husband isn’t a womanizer. He loves her dearly. And I doubt he’s ever cheated on her, not even once.
Valerie laughed it off, but privately she recalled how her family life had changed a year ago. Back then, she accidentally stumbled upon a text exchange between Frederick and some woman named Marina. As it turned out, they had been together for eight whole years. There was a huge scandal. Valerie was ready to file for divorce.
What saved them was that same text exchange. In it, he openly said he loved his wife and children and would never leave them. He only met with her to relieve stress and for a change of pace.
Of course, their relationship had already soured by then. How could there be any talk of harmony when trust was shattered? Valerie couldn’t forgive her husband for a long time. For a while, they lived apart.
They reconciled only after six months. Only Valerie’s mother and her best friend Sophia knew about this painful incident. To everyone else, they appeared to be the perfect family.
— So, how do you live after that? You just forgave him? — Sophia asked her.
— We live as we did before. I forgave him, yes. But I haven’t forgotten. Every time we argue, I bring up his Marina. He gets furious. And the trust is gone. Whenever Frederick is late somewhere, I think he’s with someone.
After his secret was exposed, Frederick became more attentive to his wife. He tried to spoil her, showering her with candies, gifts, and flowers.
— What’s next? — Valerie wondered. — He doesn’t bring me joy like he used to. Sometimes I don’t even want to see him. The only comfort is that he loves the kids and does everything for them.
Only her mother noticed Valerie’s subdued mood. In public, she tried to act as if everything was fine.
— Don’t worry, dear. It’ll all work out. Do you think your father never cheated on me? Faithful men are rare. Your husband’s no exception. So what, he slipped up. Gave in to temptation. It happens.
— His temptation lasted eight years.
— Think about the kids. He’s not a bad man. Generous. Brings everything home. Forgive and forget.
— I can’t stop thinking about it.
— Sweetie, I know. You need a change of scenery, a job, or some way to unwind. Find a hobby to stop dwelling on the past, — her mother advised.
Back then, Valerie couldn’t have imagined how one chance encounter would change everything.
It happened in the summer. During a scorching heatwave, Valerie’s air conditioner broke down. She called her friend Sophia.
— My air conditioner’s broken. Frederick’s at work. Do you happen to know a repairman? Someone who fixes these things?
— Oh, friend, what would you do without me? I know just the guy. Write down his number and call.
Valerie jotted down the number and dialed it within three minutes. A pleasant male voice with a slight rasp answered. It sent a shiver down Valerie’s spine. The man on the phone was very polite. After discussing the details of the service call, Valerie, impressed by the pleasant conversation, hung up.
— What a voice. Wow. It makes me feel hot and cold all at once. I felt like this when I first met Frederick, — she mused to herself.
At the appointed time, the doorbell rang. The kids were playing outside. Valerie was home alone. Opening the door, she saw a tanned, handsome man with an excellent athletic build. He carried a small toolbox.
— So, where’s our patient? — the young man asked as he stepped inside.
— Who, sorry?
— Your air conditioner? — he smiled, flashing a perfect grin at the homeowner.
— Oh, yes. Sorry. Come in, please.
Entering the room, the technician began inspecting the issue. He thoroughly examined the air conditioner and started the repair. Valerie stood frozen, overwhelmed by mixed feelings. For some inexplicable reason, she felt intensely drawn to this stranger, but she reminded herself she was married and needed to be sensible.
— Nothing serious. Don’t worry. We’ll patch up your patient, and it’ll work like new.
The man performed a few adjustments, opened the window, checked the cords and mountings, and was about to close it when he accidentally knocked over a flowerpot. Caught off guard, it fell and shattered on the neighbor’s balcony below.
— I’m so sorry, that was clumsy of me, — he said, trying to apologize. — I didn’t mean to.
But Valerie barely reacted. She felt almost hypnotized.
— Are you okay? Cash or card? I’ll give you a discount for the ruined flower.
Valerie snapped out of it, took the receipt, and looked at the young man closely.
— Here’s my card. Call if you need me. Everything’s on there. You sure you’re alright?
Valerie glanced at the card. The technician’s name was Andrew. She smiled nervously and handed him the payment.
— Thank you! Well, have a good day.
After he left, Valerie stood rooted to the spot for another ten minutes. Her son’s voice brought her back to reality.
— Mom, can we go to the neighbor’s yard? Mikey’s back from the beach.
— Of course, sweetie, go ahead.
Valerie spent the whole day under the spell of the encounter. Andrew’s voice echoed in her mind.
— What’s wrong with me? I acted like an idiot. He’s just a repairman, — she thought. — I need to snap back to reality.
Before she could collect herself, the doorbell rang. It was Andrew, holding a potted dracaena.
— I’m terribly sorry. I brought you a new plant. Again, I’m sorry for ruining yours.
— Oh, you didn’t have to.
— I did. It’s my fault, — Andrew handed her the pot. — Need anything else fixed?
— No, thank you. Nothing’s broken for now.
— Too bad. I mean, good that nothing’s broken. Well, I’ll be off. Have a great day.
— You too. Andrew headed downstairs.
Valerie watched him go. He turned back once and smiled at her.
— Okay, that’s enough. He’s very charming, but stop staring. It’s improper, — she thought, closing the door.
The next day, Valerie was walking back from the store, laden with bags of groceries. She spotted a bus at the stop and ran for it, but the driver didn’t wait and pulled away.
— Hey, wait! — Valerie shouted.
One of the bag’s handles tore, and several apples rolled onto the ground.
— Let me help, — a familiar male voice with a slight rasp said.
Valerie looked up and saw Andrew.
— I’m heading to a job. But I can give you a lift home.
— Oh, no, that’s okay, — Valerie said, picking up the scattered apples.
Andrew knelt to help. They both reached for the same apple, their hands touching. Feeling an unfamiliar tremor, Valerie slowly pulled her hand back.
— Hop in, I’ll drive you, — he said, wiping the apple she’d touched and taking a bite with relish.
— Well, if it’s not too much trouble, — Valerie hesitated.
Andrew grabbed her bags and loaded them into his trunk.
— Get in. Valerie obeyed.
In that moment, she wanted to scream with joy. Caught in a euphoric haze, she completely forgot about her husband and children. They chatted nonstop almost the entire way home.
As it turned out, they had a lot in common. Pulling up to her building, Andrew helped Valerie out of the car and carried her groceries inside.
— Thanks for the help, — Valerie said, beaming.
— My pleasure. If you’re not in a rush, I’d love to treat you to a coffee.
Valerie paused.
— I’d like that, but I have a lot to do.
— Fair enough. I won’t keep you, — Andrew smiled and disappeared into the elevator.
— I’m such an idiot. Why did I lie? I don’t have anything to do. But then again, I shouldn’t be doing this. What if someone I know sees us? — Valerie reasoned.
The next day, Valerie took her kids to summer school, a private program that ran during the summer. The children spent the day there, playing, eating, singing, and learning English. After saying goodbye to them, she ran into Andrew at the entrance. He was holding the hand of a red-haired boy, about seven years old.
— Hey there, — Valerie greeted. — Didn’t expect to see you here. I know most of the parents.
— Hi. We’re just here temporarily. Had no one to leave him with.
— Your son? — No, — Andrew grinned. — My nephew. If you’re not in a hurry, we could grab a coffee.
— Thanks, but coffee doesn’t sound great in this heat.
— Wait here. I’ll drop him off, and we’ll figure something out.
This time, Valerie didn’t rush off and waited for Andrew outside. A few minutes later, he returned.
— Get in the car. I want to show you something.
Valerie looked at him and got in. After a short drive through the city, they pulled up to a small outdoor café.
— Stay here, I’ll be right back.
Before Valerie could blink, Andrew was back, holding two waffle cones with ice cream.
— This is better than coffee. Let’s take a walk, — Andrew took her hand, and they walked around the corner of the café. There was a small clearing and a lake, with a wooden bench by the shore.
— Wow, this place is amazing, — Valerie exclaimed. — Thanks for convincing me to come.
— I didn’t convince you that much. You wanted to come. It’s obvious, — Andrew said, brushing her cheek.
— Don’t. Coming here with a man I barely know was probably a mistake, — Valerie moved his hand and slid to the edge of the bench. — You might have the wrong idea about me. I’m not that kind of woman. I’m married. I have kids. This is wrong.
Andrew slid closer.
— I understand, I see it, and I respect it. But something’s pulling us together, you and me. Don’t deny it. I can feel it.
— You’re imagining things, — Valerie stood up and walked to the lake, turning her back to Andrew.
— No, I’m not, — Andrew said, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
In that moment, Valerie turned and looked at him. Her eyes burned with passion, desire, and fear.
— What am I doing? — she asked, and they kissed.
From then on, they met every day. They went on nature trips, spent time at hotels or a cabin, and cherished every moment. They wanted to be together.
— Wow, you’re something else, girl. Never would’ve expected this from you. Acting all saintly! — Sophia said when Valerie confessed everything.
— Stop it. I feel awful about it. I hate myself. But he’s just… I can’t explain it.
— So what now? What about Frederick? The kids?
— What about them? I’m having a great time. For the first time in ages, I feel happy.
— Be careful. Don’t you dare tell your husband.
— Are you crazy? He’d probably kill me.
A year later, Valerie and Andrew continued their secret meetings. He gave her gifts, which she passed on to Sophia since she couldn’t bring them home. He gave her money for shopping and delighted her with sweet gestures. At one point, he even confessed he loved her. Valerie said she loved him too.
— What do we do now? — Valerie asked, resting her head on Andrew’s chest as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.
— I don’t know. Maybe we drop everything and run away somewhere?
— Are you serious?
— Why not? Your family’s here, your husband. It’s holding you back, keeping you from being free.
— Stop it. I’m not leaving my husband or abandoning my kids.
Andrew’s face darkened, but he held back his emotions. Valerie noticed but said nothing. A week later, things got complicated. Andrew changed. He grew jealous of her husband and kids, bombarding her with texts and calls. Before, he’d been cautious. Now, his calls were frequent and intrusive.
— I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s so different. He calls all the time, day or night. I have to put my phone on silent. Once, he called drunk, said awful things, then kept apologizing, — Valerie told Sophia.
— What can I say? Your fling’s gone on too long. You need to end it. Mark my words, he’ll pull something nasty if you don’t.
That evening, Valerie thought hard. After weighing everything, she decided to slowly distance herself from Andrew.
Suddenly, she became very busy. She got a job, called him less, and responded to his messages sparingly.
Andrew, meanwhile, was unraveling: flooding her with texts, calling constantly, waiting outside her building, the store, or the summer school. When Valerie told him she didn’t want to see him anymore, he threatened to tell her husband everything.
Valerie dismissed his threats. She blocked him on social media and blacklisted him everywhere. Soon after, strange things started happening in her life.
First, someone slashed their car’s tires. Then, the side of the car where Valerie usually sat was hacked with what looked like an axe. But when someone started leaving photos of Valerie, her kids, and her husband, she got scared.
That evening, she gathered her courage and told Frederick everything. After sorting things out, she took the kids and left for her mother’s house in a countryside. A few days later, someone called from an unknown number and stayed silent on the line.
— Andrew, is that you? I know it’s you. I’m not afraid of you anymore. My husband knows everything. You can leave me alone now, — the line went dead.
No one called again. That autumn, a car pulled up to her mother’s house. It was Frederick. Seeing him, she stepped out into the yard.
— How’s it going, Val? I miss you. Alright, let’s call it even, “1-1.” A tie. Come back. I can’t live without you all.
— You’re joking year.
— No, I’m serious. I came for you. Get ready.
Just then, the kids ran out of the house, hugging their father and clinging tightly to their mother tightly. Finally, the whole family was together again finally.
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