I'm still of a mind that this is a romance story but, perhaps, not in the traditional sense. In the end though it is just that, a story and not real life.
If you haven't read parts 1 & 2, I suggest you do, to fully understand what has happened, before reading part 3.
As always comments, constructive and critical, are welcome.
Enjoy.
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There is always a choice
Part 3
Hurrying up the stairs to their first floor flat Samantha glanced around her nervously, hoping that none of her neighbours saw her arriving home in last night's dress. Turning her key in the lock she pushed the front door open and wondered exactly what sort of reaction she was going to get from her husband.
"Babe. Are you ok? I've been so worried." Ben leapt up off the sofa as soon as his wife came through the doorway, "What happened? Did he.... you know?"
Her intention had been to rip into him, but as soon as she saw him that plan went out of the window. It was obvious he had barely slept and looked so dejected and miserable that Sam just couldn't bring herself to do it, even though he thoroughly deserved it.
Instead, she flopped down onto the sofa, her blue dress riding up around the tops of her thighs, and just looked at him without speaking.
"Do you want a coffee?" He asked hesitantly, obviously expecting her to rant at him over what had happened.
"Sure, why not." She sighed resignedly, despite the fact that she wanted him to go, she decided it could wait till later.
Leaning back, she was unable to suppress the feeling of sexual contentment that filled her after her incredible erotic liaison with Rob Howell the previous night.
"I'm sorry... I'm really, really sorry... you're right it's all my fault."
A stumbling apology was about all he could manage to mumble before he scurried off into the kitchen.
Waiting for him to make the coffee Samantha sat and stared at the wall wondering just what she was going to do now.
She knew she needed some time to get her life together.
'What would she do about Rob's suggestion to become a whore?'
'How was she going to cover the rent or bills with Ben gone?
There was no way she was going to put up with his gambling any longer, she was sure of that at least. But once she was on her own what was the next step for her? She needed a job but could she accept Rob's proposition and actually become an escort?
And then, if she did that, what about his comment that there were other opportunities she might want to consider.
'What sort of openings was he talking about?'
"Coffee babe."
Ben returned with two mugs and interrupted her deliberations.
"Thanks, but I'm not your babe anymore." She took the cup without really looking at him.
He ignored her comment, "What happened last night? Did he..."
Sitting down on the sofa next to her he looked at her, his expression one of absolute desolation.
"It's no longer any of your business." Sam responded a little more acerbically than she actually intended, "We're not together anymore, I told you I don't love you."
"Please Sam.... I need to know if..."
"If he fucked me? Or maybe if he's bigger than you? Is that what you want me to tell you?" She glared at him balefully, "Is it?"
"I... I love you Sam. Can't we...."
His forlorn look of abject misery almost made her feel sorry for him until she thought back to how his gambling had ruined her life and destroyed her dreams.
"Can't we what?"
Ben stared disconsolately down at his feet, "Try again?"
Sam snorted in disgust, "So you can throw even more money down the drain and put us even deeper in debt. I don't think so."
"Please...." He whispered wretchedly, "I'll stop... I... I'll have therapy. Anything you want."
She stared at him in disbelief, his pathetic pleading making her want to punch him after all the heartache he had put her through.
"No, Ben it's too late. And yes, he did fuck me. Last night and twice this morning, just so you know." She stated contemptuously wanting to hurt him, "And he has the biggest cock I've ever seen."
Ben stared at her for a second before getting up and stumbling away into the bathroom where, moments later, she heard the sound of him throwing up.
Waiting until he returned, she sipped her hot coffee and tried not to feel guilty as she made a mental list of all the things that she needed to do later that day.
He looked pale when he eventually came back into the room.
"Please Sam, can't we at least talk about what's happened?"
Samantha nodded, "Sure. I'll go and get changed then we can sit down and talk properly but I still want us to separate Ben."
Getting up she took her mug through to the bedroom and took off her blue dress changing into jeans and a casual top. Then she put her long hair up into a pony tail before slowly making her way back to the living room, dreading the discussion that she knew they needed to have.
Returning to the lounge she perched on the edge of the couch and waited, nervously fiddling with her cup, watching her husband as he gazed back at her. Neither of them spoke for a minute or two as they sat and considered the situation they were in.
"So, what now?" Ben finally broke the profound silence that had settled over them.
Sam shrugged indifferently, "I want you to move out so I can try to get my life back together."
"But what if I promised...."
"For fuck's sake, no more promises Ben. You've broken so many and I'm fed up hearing them. I don't love you anymore."
His downcast countenance made it plain to her that he understood she meant what she said.
"But I love you Sam... I mean it." He tried to hold her hand but she pulled away, "I'll do whatever you want."
"Maybe you would, but I'm not sure if I've really loved you for a long time now."
"So, you... you're going to leave me for... for Rob?" Ben suddenly blurted out.
"What? Where did you get that idea from?" She looked at him in total amazement.
His desolate expression said everything to her but he still put it into words.
"I've heard about his reputation and you.... you said he was.... big. Besides that, you said it was all my fault."
"Let me be clear, I'm not going anywhere with Robert Howell. I want to be on my own." She told him firmly, absolutely certain that she didn't mean it, "And yes, it is all your fault."
Ben looked totally crestfallen at her statement but nodded his agreement.
Taking a deep breath Sam continued, "You are a complete tosser for getting us into this mess and maybe one day I'll forgive you but right now I... I just don't want you. I can't take any more of your lies and your gambling."
The surprise in his eyes was genuine at the comment she might forgive him eventually.