It was a series of audio messages. In the first message was Ruby's high-pitched moaning in ecstasy and the man who had always been calm and introverted in front of me sounded like a wild beast that had gone mad. He spites out those harsh and hideous words that I had never heard before.
"Sally, did you hear that?" said Ruby. "Your husband is incredible. He’s driving me crazy!”
"Hubby, who do you love more? Do you love me more or her?"
Austin's voice was tinged with laughter as he answered, "Of course I love you more. Say … what's the point of always comparing yourself to a blind woman? She's like a dead fish in bed …."
Big drops of tears smashed on the screen, I fumbled furiously, trying to turn off the sound, but their voices became clearer and clearer in my head—every single one of them.
My stomach churned violently. Barefoot and shaking, I staggered to the bathroom, clutching my chest as I dry-heaved over the sink.
That night stretched on endlessly.
The murmur from the bedroom next door did not stop until dawn and I lay wide awake as I stared into the void. My tears kept flowing silently.
In the morning, Austin went to work with Ruby at his side.