Betrayed by Her Husband, She Turned to a Stranger — Only to Uncover an Even Bigger Secret

Woman Turned To a Stranger for Help After Her Husband’s Betrayal, Only to Face a Bigger Surprise – Story of the Day

Ellis is going through a tough divorce when she meets a brave young man at a pub who offers to change her life. His charisma and self-assurance appear to be the ideal diversion, but their relationship quickly results in shocking disclosures that make Ellis face her history and her family in ways she never would have expected.

Ellis recalled spending a night with her spouse, Mark. They had nearly twenty-five years of marriage. They had fallen into a pattern that was monotonous and predictable.

Ellis realised something wasn’t right that night. Mark shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable.

“What’s the matter?” Ellis watched him intently and enquired.

Mark waved her away, saying, “Nothing, everything is fine.” Ellis, however, was aware of his deceit. She had always been able to spot dishonesty in him. Her eyes narrowed as she waited for him to say anything.

Mark let out a long sigh. At last, he remarked, “Okay, we need to talk.”

“Why? What took place? Ellis’s voice was tight as she asked.

“Remember the business trip I went on a few weeks ago?” Mark avoided looking at her as he asked.

“Yes,” Ellis responded slowly, “with Donna.”

Mark’s eyes shifted to the ground. “We shared a bed,” he acknowledged.

“You what?” Ellis said in a scarcely audible whisper. She was hearing things she couldn’t believe.

“I have no idea why it occurred,” Mark remarked. “Our 25th anniversary has been on my mind a lot. The only woman I’ve ever dated is you. I suppose I began to wonder, and everything happened so quickly. But it was an error, Ellis. Since then, I’ve felt awful. You are the only person I love.

“How could you harm me in this way?” Ellis enquired. Her heart felt heavy, like it may burst, but she didn’t scream.

“I really apologise. Please pardon me. “I swear, I won’t do it ever again,” Mark stated in a shaky voice.

Ellis firmly said, “Go.”

“Please don’t do this,” Mark pleaded.

“Go. Ellis remarked, “I can’t look at you right now.”

After giving a nod, Mark proceeded to the bedroom. Ellis scarcely noticed his go as she sat quietly, her thoughts running.

Ellis was startled out of her reverie by a voice that exclaimed, “This is the saddest cocktail I’ve ever seen.” She looked around, blinked, and knew where she was.

Staring at the divorce papers that Mark had signed, she sat at the bar. They were seated directly before her.

She had made Mark sign them and filed for divorce. Her own name, however, was still unwritten.

She had been aware of Mark’s affair for weeks, yet she was still unable to let it go.

Ellis faced the voice. A young man was standing close by, she noticed. He appeared to be just a little older than her daughter.

“What are you looking for?” She frowned as she asked. “I don’t feel like talking right now.”

He smirked and added, “My name is Leo.” “Night after night, I’ve been watching you come here. You appear unhappy as you sit by yourself. Then you complain about your marriage to the barman. It’s growing stale. Quite pitiful, to be honest.

Ellis yelled, “Don’t bother if you came here to insult me.” Additionally, I’ve witnessed you go out each night with a new woman. Tell me, then, who is more pitiful. I know what love is, at least.

Leo laughed and said, “Ouch.” “You’re capable of fighting.” That’s nice. I’m not here to ridicule you, you see. I’m here to assist you. I’ll help you get back in shape in a few days.

“What are you in shape for?” Ellis narrowed her brows and asked.

“Of course,” Leo said, “for seducing men.”

“I’m forty-two,” Ellis stated. “I have only ever dated one man.”

“That’s right,” Leo said. “I want to help because of this. What do you say, then? He extended his hand.

“What do you stand to gain?” With suspicion, Ellis enquired.

“It’s difficult,” Leo remarked.

Ellis let out a sigh. She then grudgingly shook his hand. Although she had no desire to flirt with guys, she reasoned that it might not be a bad idea to divert her attention.

Leo threw himself into helping Ellis recreate herself over the course of the following few days.

He forced her to try on clothing that was very different from her typical style when he took her shopping at hip boutiques.

Ellis paused at first, standing clumsily in tight-fitting gowns and vivid hues before the mirror.

He continued after that. She received coaching from Leo on how to talk confidently and with confidence.

He even gave her starting lines by pointing out males at the bar for her to approach. Ellis felt foolish at first.

She introduced herself, stumbling over her words and trembling. However, after several attempts, something changed.

Men gave her a smile. A few even requested her phone number. Ellis felt noticed for the first time in years.

One thing, though, kept bothering her. Despite seeming effortless, Leo’s charisma with women felt hollow.

He laughed at their jokes, flirted readily, and went missing every night with a different woman. They were sitting at the pub one evening when Ellis broke the ice.

She said, “Why do you do it?” “You want something real, don’t you?”

Leo looked away. He asked, “What’s the point?”

Ellis remarked softly, “You’re afraid of getting hurt.”

Leo hesitated before responding. At last he said, “I’m not ready for anything serious.” “I’ve witnessed how falling in love destroys people.”

Ellis gave him a headshake but didn’t ask any more questions. Fear was something she recognised.

Ellis was enjoying a drink at the pub one calm evening when a man came up to her. Ryan was his name.

He spoke boldly, smiled easily, and was courteous.

He frequently smiled at her and praised her clothing. However, Ellis could feel her thoughts straying as she sat there.

Mark used to make her giggle till her sides ached, she recalled. Even when she didn’t know what she needed, he always seemed to know, she reflected.

Ellis abruptly sprang to his feet and remarked, “I need to use the loo.” However, she chose to leave the restaurant, take a cab, and head home rather than return.

There was silence in the house. The walls were covered in family pictures that gazed back at her. Ellis noticed the divorce papers on the table, unsigned. She grabbed her phone and sent Leo a text.

@Ellis

Where have you been? Over a week has passed since I last saw you.

@Leo:

Someone I met

@Ellis

Whoa. However, I must speak with you.

@Leo:

At the moment, I am unable to. I’m with her.

@Ellis

I’m considering returning to Mark.

@Leo:

I’ll arrive in twenty minutes.

After twenty minutes, Ellis heard a car horn outside, which was piercing. Leo was getting out of his car when she stepped onto her porch. He had a strained, dissatisfied expression on his face.

“You can’t return to him!” Leo approached her and yelled.

Ellis folded her arms. “I’ve come to a realisation. I adore him. I always have. No one else is even close,” she stated resolutely.

“He betrayed you!” Leo shouted, raising his voice. “You were betrayed by him!”

Ellis refused to back down. “I understand. However, I believe I can forgive him.

“That is unforgivable!” Leo shook his head and snapped.

“Why not?” Ellis enquired. “You’ve evolved. Someone has been located for you. Why is he unable to?

Leo avoided looking into her eyes and murmured, “It’s… it’s not the same.”

Ellis answered steadily, “I believe it is.”

After pausing, Leo raised his hands. “All right. Do as you please. “I’m finished,” he said sternly. He turned and returned to his car without saying another word.

His tires kicked up dust on the still roadway as Ellis watched him drive away.

She awoke the following morning feeling sad. Ellis and Mark would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on that day.

She made the decision to speak with him. She inhaled deeply before texting Mark to invite him over without providing an explanation.

Using recipes she had created for their previous anniversaries, she spent the afternoon making dinner.

The doorbell rang later in the evening. Mark was standing there as Ellis opened the door, his eyes laden with sadness and his shoulders drooping.

Mark whispered, “Hey,” as the door opened.

Ellis stepped over and said, “Hello.” “Enter now.” With a calm but apprehensive voice, she pointed to the living room.

Mark entered the room gently, looking around. “So, what were you hoping to discuss? Is the divorce at issue here? Will we formally announce it? His shoulders were stiff, his tone wary.

With measured words, Ellis stated, “I didn’t sign the papers.”

Mark stopped. “What? Why not?

The doorbell rang before Ellis could answer it. She looked at the clock and scowled. “Who might that be?” she said out loud.

“Have you discussed the divorce with Sara?” Mark furrowed his brow and asked.

“No, I was unable to. Did you? Ellis looked him in the eye and asked.

Mark shook his head and answered, “No.”

Ellis let out a sigh. “Gosh. She is aware that today is our anniversary. “I think she came to celebrate,” she added as she made her way to the door.

Ellis was shocked to see Sara standing there when she opened it, but her daughter wasn’t by herself. Leo was standing next to her.

“Why do you have my daughter with you?” Ellis glared at Leo and demanded.

Sara smiled and said, “Mom.” “This is Leo, my lover. I felt that introducing him to you today would be ideal.

Ellis looked incredulously at Leo. “Not at all! Are you aware that he is a womaniser?

Sara’s smile faded as she added, “He was.” “However… Hold on. How are you aware of that?

Leo stated nonchalantly, “I was teaching her how to flirt with men,” before blinking in bewilderment. “Hold on, how is your mother doing? She is far too youthful!

“What do you think about my 17-year-old marriage?” Ellis gave a sour response.

“What’s happening here?” Sara’s voice rose as she asked. Why were you instructing my mother in flirtation? She is wed!

“They’re divorcing,” Leo said. Then he said, “Or maybe not,” observing Mark.

“What?” Sara cried out. “What kept you from telling me?”

Ellis’s expression softened as she gazed at her daughter. “Because I hadn’t decided yet.” Additionally, I invited your dad today to tell him that I wish to reconcile.

Mark’s head snapped upward. “Really?” he enquired in a cautiously hopeful tone. Ellis gave a nod.

Leo folded his arms. “You are not worthy of him.”

Ellis’s eyebrow went up. “And you’re not worthy of my daughter.”

Leo shot back, “You said I’ve changed.”

Sara stepped forward and stated, “And that’s true.” We’re in love, Mom. Leo also suggested that we meet.

On the defensive, Leo remarked, “I didn’t know you were her parents.”

Ellis paused to absorb the information. There was silence in the room until Mark spoke. “Are you truly prepared to pardon me?”

“Yes,” Ellis replied. “I’ve decided it’s worth giving us another chance. If someone like Leo can fall in love, then after 25 years, we can fix things too.”

Mark stepped forward and hugged her tightly. Ellis clung to him, tears streaming down her face. She loved him, and together they could rebuild.

“But,” Mark said, pulling back, “I still need to know how you know Leo.”

“Me too!” Sara cried out. They all burst into laughter, and Ellis invited them to the table. Together, they sat, letting love guide the way forward.

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