A Confuse Cheater Episode 3

Raymond pov 

I had not been home for one whole week.

Seven long days away from the house I once called my peace, seven nights sleeping with lies on my chest as heavy as stones. As a married man, that alone was a sin, but I kept convincing myself that I had things under control. My wife kept calling morning, afternoon, midnight but I couldn’t pick up. Each time her name flashed on my phone, Chioma was either beside me or on the line, laughing, talking, asking about my day. Picking my wife’s call in front of Chioma would raise questions I wasn’t ready to answer.

That morning, when I got to work, my heart sank.

She was already there.

My wife stood in front of my office building, her face tired, her eyes swollen like someone who hadn’t slept. She didn’t greet me. She didn’t shout. She just looked at me the way only a disappointed woman can quiet, wounded, dangerous.

“Raymond,” she said softly, “you haven’t been home for a week. The children are sick.”

Those words hit me harder than any slap could have. My chest tightened. Images of my kids flashed through my mind my son coughing at night, my daughter asking why daddy no longer comes home. Shame washed over me.

“I’m sorry,” I said immediately. “Work has been overwhelming. I promise I’ll come home tonight.”

She searched my face, as if trying to see if I was telling the truth or just another lie. After a long pause, she nodded slowly.

“Tonight,” she repeated. “Don’t disappoint us again.”

When she left, guilt followed her like a shadow. For a moment, I considered ending everything with Chioma. Just one honest conversation, I told myself. But lies are cowards they hide behind convenience.

That evening, Chioma called me, her voice sweet and excited.

“Baby,” she said, “I’ve prepared something delicious for dinner. I want you to come over.”

My heart started racing. I looked at the time. I had already promised my wife. I swallowed hard.

“I have an important meeting tonight,” I lied without thinking. “It might take long.”

There was a brief silence on the line.

“You’re always busy these days,” Chioma said, her tone changing slightly. “But okay. Call me later.”

That night, I went home.

Continue reading Episode 4