Excellent
They had already been married for three years after being together for four. Inside and out, everything was in perfect order.
As Andy had recently begun going to the local motor club, Meg had begun to feel neglected as a result of his now nearly constant absence. She felt completely excluded from his life because it simply wasn't something that she enjoyed.
Not Her Forte
Suddenly, Andy became totally obsessed with cars and the wild and dangerous sport of racing, and he spent the vast majority of his weekends at either the motor club, meeting like-minded people, or watching races at the tracks across town.
In a feeble attempt to see if it was something she may have found interest in, Meg went accompanied him but didn't think of it to be anything special.
Disregarded
Meg began to feel neglected, and Andy seemed far too busy to spend even a single weekend with her at home.
He was near-constantly checking his phone for details of the next gathering with his new best friends. As disappointedly Meg waited in the wings, she grew more and more frustrated by the day.
Dedicated
She still loved Andy with all her heart, and she truthfully was beyond glad that he found something he was truly passionate about. She’d never seen him so excited before; it was a first for her over the course of their entire relationship.
However, when Andy told her that he was seriously considering commandeering a race car himself soon, she stared at him blankly with raised eyebrows. If only Meg had a means of knowing what would soon transpire.
Anxiety
It was Andy's first race ever, so he enthusiastically invited Meg to come to support him. The nerves thrashing around inside Meg were totally unbearable. The fact that Andy had been practicing relentlessly to safely drive in a race was unknown to her.
The fact that she wasn't familiar with most of her husband's new friends made her feel bad because it showed that she didn't have the slightest understanding of his new hobby.
Dreaded Number 8
She could see Andy's car standing in line from the bleachers. On the side, it was marked with the lucky number 8. During the race, his friends cheered him on as he drove off at break-neck speeds, surrounded by his new gaggle of friends.
Her eyes were shut closed, and her breath was stifled. She was totally unable to watch. Something might happen; she was petrified.
Irrefutable
As expected, something did happen. After seeing Andy's number 8 car viciously collide with the concrete barrier, alike Andy’s car, Meg's world came crashing down in an instant.
The ambulance and personnel rushed to the track as Meg watched in horror. The sight of Andy being lifted from the wrecked vehicle relieved her, but would he be okay? There was no way to tell.
Quickly And Easily
In just a few short minutes, Meg had witnessed something she would never fully recover from. As a result of Andy's crash, he was rushed to the emergency unit and admitted to the intensive care ward.
There was no way Meg could cope with her extreme loss. Her husband was okay, and she couldn't understand what had happened. As she waited outside the ICU for news, sitting in deafening silence.
Heart-Break
She nervously and desperately asked the doctor for any and all updates on Andy after seeing him. Her prayers and hopes would sadly go unanswered.
A coma had gripped Andy, but he was indeed still alive. In a fit of tears, Meg broke down completely. This information just didn't make sense to her. Would he wake up soon? Would he wake up, ever?
For Better Or Worse
Despite repeated attempts to shake him from his coma, Andy remained unconscious for months on end. The new circumstances were now a part of Meg's everyday life. As long as he was in that bed, she would never leave his side.
It was her ultimate duty to be there as she had taken a sacred vow to be there "in sickness and in health." Talking to him periodically in the hopes he was able to hear her, even if he was unable to respond.
The Long Vigil
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Meg's life became consumed by the hospital. She put her own dreams and desires on hold, dedicating herself entirely to Andy's recovery.
She spent countless hours researching treatments, therapies, and experimental procedures that could potentially help Andy wake up from his coma. She consulted with specialists, seeking any glimmer of hope.
Committed
Meg's unwavering commitment impressed the hospital staff and other patients' families. They admired her dedication and often offered words of encouragement and support. But deep down, Meg couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that gnawed at her heart.
She just wanted her husband to wake up so that they could go home. She just wanted her old life back.
A Stranger's Glimpse
One sunny afternoon, as Meg sat by Andy's bedside, a peculiar incident caught her attention. A woman rushed into the hospital, clutching a bouquet of roses.
She looked flustered and was looking all around the busy hospital, trying to get someone’s attention. She eventually flagged down a nurse and began speaking to her in a hushed tone.
A Break
Meg decided to step out of the room to go get a sandwich and some coffee to keep her energy up. She had been there since yesterday and needed to go home and shower and put on a fresh set of clothes.
When she had done all that, she was feeling so much better. Then, as she made her to Andy’s room, she saw something unexpected.
The Stranger
Meg's eyes widened in surprise as she watched the woman approach Andy's bed with a mix of urgency and familiarity.
The stranger's hazel eyes scanned the room, searching for something or someone. Meg's heart raced with a sudden uneasiness, her mind racing to comprehend who this woman could be and what her intentions were. Was she a friend of Andy’s?
Intimate Gestures
With a determined expression, the woman placed the bouquet on the bedside table and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Andy's forehead.
Meg's hands trembled as she observed the intimate gesture between the stranger and her comatose husband. She then realized that it was the same woman she had seen earlier in the hospital hallway.
Who Are You?
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Meg mustered the courage to approach the woman cautiously. "Excuse me," she said with a quiver in her voice. "Who are you?"
The woman turned towards Meg, her gaze filled with a mix of surprise and guilt. "I... I'm sorry. I thought... I thought this was someone else's room," she stammered, her voice trembling slightly.
Instincts
Meg's instincts told her there was more to this encounter than met the eye. "No, you must know, Andy. How do you know him?" she pressed, desperately seeking answers.
“I don’t know him. Like I said, I thought he was someone else. I have to go now.” And with that, the stranger left the room in a hurry.
A Mere Coincidence?
Meg's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the woman hastily leave. Something didn't add up, and Meg's instincts told her that the encounter was far from a mere coincidence.
She couldn't shake the feeling that this woman had some or other connection to Andy, and she was determined to find out the truth.
What Was Going On?
What was going on here? Who exactly was that woman? She had left roses at Andy’s bedside even though she said she thought he was someone else.
And Meg distinctly saw how she brushed a strand of hair out of his face. Who does that unless they know the person very well? Meg sighed in confusion. She wanted to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Determined
With a mix of determination and anxiety, Meg quickly followed the woman down the hallway, trying to catch up with her. "Wait!" she called out, her voice echoing through the corridor. The woman glanced back, her eyes wide with surprise, but she didn't stop.
Meg quickened her pace, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She couldn't let this woman slip away without getting answers.
Vanished
But as she rounded a corner, the woman was nowhere to be seen. It’s like she had vanished into thin air. Meg sighed with a huff. How was she going to find out what was going on now?
She made her back to Andy’s room. There must be some way to find out who the mysterious woman was. And then an idea flashed in her mind.
Searching for Clues
Meg knew that she needed to find some clues to uncover the identity of the mysterious woman. She began scouring Andy's belongings in the hospital room, hoping to find anything that might shed light on their connection.
She opened his wallet and found a receipt from a nearby café, dated just a week ago. It seemed like a potential lead. Meg decided to visit the café, hoping someone there might recognize the woman or have some information about her.
The Café Encounter
With the receipt in hand, Meg entered the bustling café, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of familiarity. She approached the counter, where a friendly barista greeted her.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for someone who might have been here recently," Meg began, her voice tinged with urgency. "She left this place a week ago, and I need to find her."
A Lead?
The barista studied the receipt and paused for a moment, contemplating. Finally, she nodded. "I think I remember her. She's a regular here. Her name is Jaimie. But I don't know much else about her."
Meg's heart skipped a beat. She had a name now—Jaimie. It was a small lead, but it was something to go on. She thanked the barista and left the café, determined to find out more about this mysterious Jaimie.
The Private Investigator
Realizing that she needed professional help to dig deeper, Meg decided to hire a private investigator. She researched and found a reputable agency known for handling delicate and discreet matters.
With the name, the private investigator could surely find something that she had missed. Could it be that simple?
Tracking And Tracing
The following day, Meg sat across from the investigator, explaining the situation and showing him the receipt with Jaimie's name. The investigator assured her that he would do everything possible to uncover the truth.
Days turned into weeks as the investigator delved into Jaimie's background, tracking all her moves. It wouldn’t be long before he found something.
The Call
Then just as Meg had settled in next to Andy’s bedside, the private investigator gave her a call. She gasped at the information that was given to her over the phone.
Meg just couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All this time, she was sure that everything was all right. But it wasn’t, and Meg sobbed as she put down the phone.
Checking His Phone
She took the private investigator’s advice and checked Andy’s phone. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of checking it earlier.
And there it was, all the texts and calls made to Jaimie. Andy’s mistress. It turned out that Andy was living a double life. He had met her at the motor club, and they hit it off immediately.
Torn
Meg was now torn between having to stay by her cheating husband’s bedside. Would he ever wake up and answer to her about his indiscretions?
Would Jaimie ever have the gall to show up at his bedside again, playing the innocent, grieving mistress? Only time would tell, and Meg didn’t know if she would stick around to find out.