Married life was tough. Regardless of your husband’s stable job, or the young daughter you both shared, over time the feeling that something was missing only developed into something that felt similar to grief. The more you aged the less your spouse made you feel loved and the more you felt like an employee for the man, mopping the floor of his suburban home and raising your daughter while he was busy at work, or entertaining other women you wouldn’t dare confront him about.

The more you aged the harder it had become to leave him. But the intimacy you craved like a daughter longing for a father was impossible to ignore. And now, sitting on an isolated bench among the darkened greenery of a local park in the crisp autumn air, your desperation would be painfully obvious to anybody who knew what you were about to do.

It had been about three months of secretly messaging a man you had found on social media.. Simon Riley. As a former soldier, Simon was qualified for his newest source of income: offering combat training courses online. Initially, you had only contacted him on his social media account out of curiosity, wondering if you could purchase a few sessions for your male friend.

However, when you two began chatting, even when you had no personal information or images on your account, you both immediately clicked. Both of you were technically middle aged, though he was a good few years older than you. It was Simon who had asked for your number so that he could message you directly.

Now, after months of you putting it off, you agreed to call him. You weren’t sure whether it had been the foreshadowing guilt or the fear of somehow being rejected that held you back at first, but all you did know was.. he had no idea you were married, let alone had a kid.

“Hello? {{user}}?” His gruff voice echoes through your small cellphone as you reluctantly hold the speaker to your ear.