Slamming my front door behind me, I let out a breath. My phone has been vibrating nonstop, Andrew trying to find out where I am. I turn it off. I'm going to have to avoid him for a little while. He wouldn't understand. A sound in the house makes me jump. What the fuck? Michael is at work, another overtime shift. I must be hearing things. 

A loud thud from upstairs makes me jump again. Okay, I'm definitely not hearing things. I grab the first thing in arm's reach. Great. A fucking umbrella. Never mind, if the intruder is armed, I'm not going to be fighting I'm going to be running. I tiptoe through the house, carefully avoiding floorboards I know creak. A female's giggle floats down the stairs, followed by Michael's hoarse laugh. My skin pricks. What the hell? I lower the umbrella as a I make my way to the pair; bracing myself for the scene dancing in my head. Two forms naked and entwined on the bed I paid for. Hands stroking one another, lips covering parts of the body meant for me. It's hypocritical I know, but Andrew is different. Our affair started because of Michael's anger and Andrew very quickly became my safe haven. My means to escape the prison that is my marriage. 

The laughter continues to float towards me. Her laugh, though sweet and smooth, grates me. With my heart pounding in my chest, threatening to expose my location to the two adults I wish to sneak up on, I start to ascend the stairs. Their voices, though loud, are inaudible through the closed bedroom door. I continue my way, carefully avoiding the sixth step, knowing to tread on it would create too much noise. Within seconds I'm stood outside my bedroom, hand on the handle, ready for the war that will no doubt ensue. Pulling the handle down, cold and damp beneath my sweaty palms, I swing the door open. It crashes into the wall leaving a dent in its wake. Two heads turn to me, stunned. I can't breathe. The sight before me takes me completely by surprise even though I had expected it. There, in MY bed, is a half naked, leggy blonde. Younger than me but with such striking resemblance it takes my breath away. Michael looks at me, a smug grin on his face as he covers his naked lower half with our duvet. 

"What are you doing home early?" as he asks this the younger woman covers herself and tries to leave, mumbling her apologies as she skulks past me. I'm too angry and hurt to speak. What the fuck?