Chapter 2: The Mirror's Reflection, A Husband's Gaze
The bathroom was blinding, the harsh fluorescent lights reflecting off the sterile white tiles. David stared at his reflection, the face looking back unfamiliar, haunted. "Find your calm in the chaos," the framed quote on the wall mocked him.He splashed cold water on his face, the shock doing little to clear the fog in his brain. He scrubbed harder, as if he could wash away the feeling of being soiled. His hands trembled as water dripped from his chin, pooling in the sink.His phone buzzed on the counter. He hesitated, then snatched it up. A message from Gabi. His heart hammered against his ribs.* The words swam before his eyes, each syllable a tiny explosion of jealousy and rage. His grip tightened on the phone, knuckles white.He imagined Wolfgang, whoever the fuck he was, preening for Gabi's attention. He pictured her smiling, maybe even laughing at his pathetic attempt to impress her. "Fucking prick," David muttered under his breath."All dressed up," he spat, the words dripping with venom. What the hell did that even mean? A suit? Lingerie? His imagination ran wild, conjuring images he couldn't control.He slammed his fist on the counter, the porcelain cracking under the impact. The pain was a sharp, welcome distraction from the burning in his chest. He stared at the crack, his breathing ragged.He looked at his reflection again, his eyes bloodshot, his jaw clenched. "Selfless support," he muttered, the phrase now a bitter joke. "This is fucking cuckoldry."He grabbed his phone again, his fingers trembling. He typed a message, then deleted it. Typed another, deleted it again. He didn't know what to say, how to express the fury churning inside him.He thought about calling Gabi, demanding answers. But what if she told him the truth? What if she confirmed his worst fears? He couldn't handle that, not right now.He opened the medicine cabinet, his eyes scanning the rows of pills and potions. He grabbed a bottle of sleeping pills, his hand shaking. He stared at the label, the warnings blurring together."Find your calm in the chaos," he read aloud, the words now a cruel taunt. He swallowed a handful of pills, washing them down with a mouthful of water.He leaned against the counter, waiting for the pills to take effect. His thoughts raced, a chaotic jumble of images and emotions. Gabi, Wolfgang, the disheveled bed, the empty calendar.He closed his eyes, trying to block out the noise, the images, the pain. He focused on his breathing, trying to slow his racing heart. But the calm wouldn't come.He slid down the wall, landing on the cold tile floor. He curled into a fetal position, his body shaking uncontrollably. The pills were starting to work, but the chaos inside him was far from over. He knew he needed to do something, but what? The image of Wolfgang's photo flashed in his mind, fueling a possessive rage that would not be denied.