Helene and Greg’s marriage had always been peaceful. Their biggest disagreements were over minor things, like what to watch on Netflix. However, everything changed one quiet Sunday afternoon when Greg unexpectedly canceled his planned road trip to Key West with his friend Mark. Greg’s abrupt reaction to Helene’s simple concern for his safety puzzled her.
Greg claimed he had booked a non-refundable flight and, blaming Helene for his canceled trip, demanded she reimburse him for the ticket. Helene refused, arguing that he chose to cancel the trip himself. Annoyed, Greg declared he would work out of town to make up for the lost money. Shortly after, he left with a small bag.
The next night, missing Greg, Helene called him via FaceTime. She was shocked to see a woman’s makeup bag and a floral scarf in his hotel room. Greg tried to cover up, but Helene realized he was having an affair. Instead of confronting him right away, she decided to handle the situation carefully.
When Greg returned home, Helene suggested a dinner with his parents and friends, to which Greg agreed. Helene also invited “Markina,” the woman Greg was cheating with, who she discovered by snooping through his phone. Greg’s contact “Mark” was actually “Markina.”
At the dinner, Greg was shocked to see Markina among the guests. The atmosphere grew tense as the truth began to unfold. Helene, determined to reveal Greg’s infidelity, strategically seated him next to Markina and asked their friends if they knew “Mark.” The confusion led to the revelation of Greg’s affair. His parents were devastated, especially his mother, who couldn’t believe Greg had lied to them.
The dinner ended with strained relationships and Greg’s futile attempts to explain himself. The damage was done, and Helene knew their marriage was over. She filed for divorce, bringing an end to their life together.
Remembering the unused hotel booking in Key West, Helene decided to take the trip alone. This journey symbolized a fresh start for her. Each sunset in Key West marked a step away from her past and toward a future full of possibilities. As she enjoyed a cocktail, watching the sun dip below the horizon, she felt the weight of betrayal lift, replaced by the strength she had found in herself.