Chapter 4:Lauren Taylor

Marriage is a lifetime agreement, but can one truly spend a lifetime with one man or woman?

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Lauren slowly rose from her bed, her head heavy and throbbing from the excess wine she had consumed the night before. She winced as the pounding in her head intensified, her mouth dry and her body sluggish. She yawned and stretched, noticing that the servants had already prepared her breakfast and placed it on the nightstand.

She grabbed the coffee, lifting it to her lips, but something caught her attention. Placing the cup back, she slowly rose to her feet and made her way to the slightly ajar bedroom door.

She opened the door and quietly made her way to the room opposite hers—her husband's room, Jason Miller.

Inside, Jason was getting ready to head to work, dressed in a stunning blue suit that accentuated his tall, athletic frame. His movements were precise and efficient, a man on a mission.

Lauren stood at the door frame, watching him silently. She hadn't seen him for almost three months, and the distance between them felt more than just physical.

Jason finally noticed her standing at the entrance. He was a little startled but quickly masked it with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hey..." he greeted, his tone attempting casualness.

"I didn't know you were back," Lauren said, her voice cold and laced with resentment.

"I got home last night. I didn't want to wake you," Jason replied, his tone neutral.

"You should have. And now you're off again this morning?" Lauren asked, her eyes assessing his clothes and suitcase.

"Switzerland," he said, adjusting his tie.

"Switzerland?" Lauren echoed, surprised but not entirely shocked. "You just got back," she barely whispered, the hurt clear in her voice.

"I know. But it's important I go. It's only going to be two days. Promise."

"Sure, if by two days you mean two months," Lauren spat angrily, her frustration boiling over.

"Lauren..."

"And you were just gonna leave without even saying hi to me," Lauren cut him off, her voice rising.

"Like I said, I didn't want to wake you," Jason stated firmly, his irritation showing.

"You fucking asshole, Jason," Lauren spat, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Don't start, Lauren," Jason warned, his patience wearing thin.

"Don't start what? Huh? I'm the only one who's always gonna tell you the truth, and the truth is you've changed so much that I barely recognize you. I don't think even you recognize you," Lauren shot back, her voice cracking with emotion.

"How much did you drink last night? You should be watching your alcohol intake; it's not healthy," Jason said, deflecting the conversation to her drinking issues.

Lauren scoffed, her eyes narrowing.

"You're clearly too hungover to have a decent conversation with. I'll call you later," Jason said dismissively, picking up his suitcase.

As he walked past her, Lauren's heart clenched. The man she married seemed like a distant memory, replaced by someone cold and detached. She watched him leave, a mixture of anger and sorrow swirling inside her.

She returned to her room, feeling the weight of their estrangement. The coffee had gone cold, but she didn't care. All she could think about was how far apart they had drifted.

"Fucking asshole," she mumbled as she angrily wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

Her eyes landed on the untouched breakfast laid out on an elegant silver tray. She knew she should eat something, but her appetite was nonexistent.

She sighed, rubbing her temples in an attempt to ease the headache that still lingered from last night's drinking. Jason's comment about her alcohol intake stung, not because it was untrue, but because it was a reminder of how distant they had become. She drank to numb the loneliness, to fill the void left by his constant absences.

Determined not to cry, she got up and decided to take a shower, hoping the hot water would wash away some of her stress. As the steam filled the spacious, marble-lined bathroom, she let the water cascade over her, trying to clear her mind.

After her shower, she wrapped herself in a plush towel and stepped out, only to find Jason's cousin Chris standing in the doorway. She gasped in surprise, clutching the towel tighter around her.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry! I should have knocked first. The door was already open," Chris stammered, quickly averting his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Lauren asked, her heart racing.

"Ah, I was hoping to catch my cousin," Chris replied, trying to keep his gaze steady on the floor.

"Well, you just missed him," Lauren said, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.

"Oh," Chris responded, his disappointment evident. He couldn't help but steal a glance at Lauren, noticing how the towel clung to her damp skin. He quickly looked away, feeling a mix of guilt and longing.

Despite the awkwardness, Lauren felt a sense of relief at Chris's presence. He had always been someone she could talk to, someone who made her feel less lonely in Jason's absence. She decided to push past the embarrassment.

"Would you like to join me for breakfast?" she asked, her voice softening. "We can eat outside on the patio."

Chris's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I'd love to," he said, smiling warmly.

"Great. I'll just get dressed," Lauren said, moving past him and heading to her closet. Chris stepped out of the room, giving her privacy, but he couldn't shake the image of her from his mind. He had always admired Lauren, more than he should have, and seeing her like this stirred feelings he tried hard to suppress.

Once dressed, Lauren joined Chris outside on the patio. The morning sun bathed the space in a gentle glow, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air. They sat down at the table, the tension from earlier slowly melting away.

"Thank you for keeping me company," Lauren said, pouring them both a cup of coffee. "It's nice to have someone to talk to."

Chris smiled, feeling a warm flutter in his chest. "Anytime, Lauren. You know I'm always here for you."

Lauren smiled, but the warmth faded quickly. She wished Jason were the one saying that.

"So, I'm guessing Jason informed you that he would be returning home yesterday," she said, stirring her coffee absently.

"Yeah, he did. In fact, we're meeting some investors for dinner tonight," Chris replied, taking a sip from his cup.

"Well, you better cancel those plans, because he'll be in Switzerland by then," Lauren said, her voice edged with frustration.

"Switzerland? Why would he be in Switzerland?" Chris asked, clearly confused.

"I don't know. He said it was important he'd be there. I thought you would know why," Lauren answered with a frown, searching Chris's face for answers.

"Hm...sure...I'm sure it's important for him to be in Switzerland," Chris stuttered, trying to cover for his cousin, but his hesitation was obvious.

Realization dawned on Lauren. Her heart pounded as a cold wave of dread washed over her. "There is no reason for him to be in Switzerland, is there?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Chris looked away, guilt written all over his face. "I'm sure he has his reasons. I don't personally know his schedule," he responded, but the uncertainty in his voice betrayed him.

Lauren's heart clenched as her eyes filled with tears. The pieces were falling into place, and the picture they formed was devastating. "He's having an affair. That's why we've been so distant. He's been cheating on me," she said, the words coming out in a pained whisper.

Chris opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, not knowing how to comfort her or what to say. He had suspected but never wanted to believe it. Seeing Lauren in such pain was tearing him apart.

"Lauren, let's..." he began, but the words died in his throat. He reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Let's not jump to conclusions," he finally managed, his voice soft but firm.

Lauren looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears yet filled with determination. "You're right. We need to be certain," she said, taking a deep breath. She stood up, her resolve hardening. "Let's fly to Switzerland right now."

Chris blinked, taken aback by her sudden decision. "Lauren, are you sure?" he asked, trying to gauge her emotions.

"Yes, I'm sure," she replied, her voice unwavering. "I need to know the truth, Chris. Right Now."