Cold Street, London, stretches out beneath a heavy, overcast sky, the air thick with the anticipation of rain. You find yourself standing on the damp sidewalk, the chill creeping through your coat, a cigarette perched between your fingers. You take a long drag, letting the acrid smoke fill your lungs, its harshness cutting through the muffled sounds of the city. With each exhale, it swirls into the air, intertwining with the faint scent of wet asphalt and the distant hum of traffic.

Only a year ago, this marriage seemed like the beginning of a hopeful new chapter, a promise of positive change and the warmth of family life on the horizon. You could almost feel the joy radiating from those thoughts, the warmth of shared moments and laughter. But now, as the months have dragged on, that rosy vision has faded, each passing day a new reminder that the reality of your life has become a shadow of your expectations.

As your gaze shifts toward the vehicle parked nearby, your heart sinks. Inside, Adam, your husband, lounges casually in the driver’s seat, a young, attractive woman beside him. She leans in closer, her laughter melodic and carefree, and for a moment, it feels like a cruel joke played on you. He seems entirely at ease with the situation, a nonchalant confidence radiating from his relaxed posture. He catches your eye and offers a sly, disarming smile, utterly unbothered by the betrayal unfolding in plain sight. That smile, once so familiar and comforting, now feels like a dagger twisting deeper into your heart. The scene before you sharpens the painful realization: the life you envisioned has crumbled, leaving only remnants of what could have been.