College Lecturer Comes Home Earlier and Sees Husband with Her Student in Bedroom – Story of the Day

Candace arrived home early and discovered her brightest student, Ariadne, in her bedroom with her husband, Octavius, who had a million excuses for the strange situation.

"See you tomorrow, Professor!" one of Candace's students said when the lecture ended. She was a luminary within the corridors of the university, and everyone studying philosophy fought to be in her classes. Her name was synonymous with erudition and unwavering dedication.

Usually, Candace would go to her office and work a little more, planning all her lectures for the week, but her back was hurting. She was pregnant, and although she and her husband, Octavius, had planned it, there were times when she regretted it.

Her nausea was difficult, and her body could barely keep up with standing through all her classes, but she had another month before she started her maternity leave, and Candace wasn't about to give up. Fortunately, her personal life lay delicately balanced. Octavius was a lawyer, so they never had to worry about money, and they'd been together for many years. He was her support.

However, the pregnancy didn't care that the rest of her life was perfect. Candace started to feel worse after walking a few steps, so she turned and headed for her car. She wasn't entirely pleased with the decision, but she could nap and plan her following few classes from the comfort of her bed and the closeness of her bathroom.

The familiar creak of the door heralded Candace's arrival into the solemn tranquility of their home, but there was something odd she couldn't place. Her eyes finally landed on her husband's jacket, lying on the sofa, although he always put it in the coat closet.

This innocent anomaly was strange, mainly because it was much too early in the day for Octavius to be home. Suddenly, a sound came from the hallway, and Candace saw the master bedroom door shut tight. Her instincts went on full alert as her steps took her forward.

Pushing the door to their bedroom ajar, Candace's breath caught in her throat, suspended in the charged atmosphere that greeted her. Octavius, her anchor in the unpredictable tides of life, stood in the middle of the room, his white button-down shirt slightly unbuttoned. He wasn't alone.

Candace's brightest student, Ariadne, the only kid in the faculty whom she felt had promised to become a doctoral candidate later, was in the bedroom. Her worried face transformed into shock at the appearance of Candace.

The charged silence bore the weight of unspoken revelations and quickened Candace's breath. Her gaze ricocheted between the unexpected duo, a myriad of emotions battling within her.

"Octavius," Candace's voice trembled.

"Candace," Octavius responded, his usually composed demeanor now tinged with a hint of unease.

"Octavius," Candace began again, "what is happening here?"

"Candace, darling," Octavius started, laughing as he attempted to maintain composure, "this is not what it seems."

Ariadne remained speechless, her bewildered gaze darting between Candace and Octavius.

Candace's breath hitched, the turmoil within her escalating with each passing second. "Explain," she demanded, her voice strained.

"I... Candace, this is..." Octavius stuttered, his usually eloquent speech failing him in the face of his wife's unwavering gaze.

"Please, someone, tell me," Candace implored, her eyes wild.

"Darling, I know how this looks," her husband continued, clearing his throat. "I would think exactly what you're probably thinking if I had walked in like you, but it's not like that."

Candace wanted to believe her husband, but her eyes darted to Ariadne, a modest student who could become the first in her family to go far. "I didn't mean—" she stuttered.

But her words hung, incomplete.

"What she means is," Octavius continued for Candace's student, "that she didn't want to bother us. But she came to ask for some advice."

"Advice?" Candace asked, confused. Ariadne's face showed a tumultuous storm raging within, so Octavius's words didn't sound reassuring.

"Darling, you talked to me about her," her husband continued. "So, I let her in. We started talking, and I wanted to change, so she followed. The door closed accidentally. But nothing happened, and nothing would've happened. I swear. It was just a conversation."

"About what?"

"I know you don't want to hear this," Octavius started buttoning his shirt. "But Ariadne is having trouble deciding her future."

"What?" Candace asked, breathless and completely distracted. "What do you mean?"

"Ariadne wanted advice from you, but since I was here, she asked about my career," Octavius explained. "I was telling her about being a lawyer when you walked in. We must have been talking for less than 15 minutes."

Candace considered her husband's words, which weren't entirely unbelievable despite them being alone in her bedroom. Still, he was a good attorney. She turned to her student. "Ariadne, tell me. Is that true?"

"I-I," her student stuttered.

Octavius called her name, and the young woman looked at him. Candace saw the fear in her face before Ariadne schooled it. "Ye-yes. I wanted advice," she croaked. "Like he said."

"See? Nothing to worry about," her husband smiled, triumphant. But Candace wasn't appeased in the least.

Candace's eyes bore into Octavius, determination reflected in her gaze. "Octavius, I need the truth. Now."

"This is the truth," he said, his face perplexed.

"No. That story is insane. I don't believe it," Candace's voice quivered with a newfound resolve, her trust shaken to its core, "I deserve the truth."

Ariadne, grappling with guilt and confusion, took a hesitant step forward, "Dr. Rhodes, I didn't—"

"Ariadne, stop," Octavius commanded, his harsh tone brooking no argument from the young student. His face turned to Candace. "If you don't believe me, tell me what's happening here?"

"She looks terrified of you, Octavius," Candace stated, swinging her hand forcefully in Ariadne's direction.

"No, she's terrified of you," her husband retorted. "You're the only one acting crazy. And I know I should be understanding. You're pregnant, and the hormones make women think all sorts of things, but this is not what it looks like!"

"Don't you dare blame this pregnancy," Candace warned, pointing her finger. "I'm not an idiot. Tell me the truth now!"

The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension palpable as Candace stood, waiting for the truth. Candace's eyes darted between Octavius and Ariadne, suspicion gnawing at her.

"Did you cheat on me?" Candace cut to the chase.

"You're ridiculous!" Octavius said, frustrated.

"You expect me to believe everything you've said?" Candace's tone grew sharper.

"I don't know what else to tell you," he shrugged. "It's the truth!"

Octavius sounded so sure, so determined, that Candace's conviction wavered until Ariadne's sudden sobbing interrupted the exchange. She looked at her student, a flicker of realization dancing in her eyes.

"Ariadne," Candace's voice softened, a dawning understanding coloring her tone, "what is it? What aren't you telling me?"

Octavius, caught off-guard by Ariadne's distress, attempted to intervene, "Candace, your attitude obviously made her worry—"

"Shut up, Octavius," Candace snapped, "this isn't about my attitude."

Candace's gaze softened as she observed Ariadne's distress, a newfound resolve brewing within her.

"Ariadne, it's alright," Candace's voice carried a soothing tone. "You don't have to explain now."

Octavius, sensing Candace's shift in focus, attempted to interject, "Candace, let me explain—"

"Not now, Octavius," Candace's voice cut through, firm and resolute. "This isn't just about us anymore."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Ariadne looked at Candace with guilt and gratitude.

"Dr. Rhodes, I didn't—" Ariadne's voice faltered.

Candace stepped closer, offering a comforting hand to Ariadne. "Ariadne, it's alright. Calm down, and we can discuss this when you're ready."

Octavius wrinkled his nose. "What are you going to talk about? I already explained everything."

Candace gave her husband a look. "Shut up," she repeated.

Candace took Ariadne to the living room and sat beside her on the couch, waiting.

Ariadne's tears subsided, but she was still shaken by whatever happened in the bedroom and struggled to speak.

Candace placed a gentle hand on Ariadne's shoulder. "You don't have to explain everything right now, Ariadne. Take your time."

Octavius interjected, "Candace, perhaps we should discuss this privately."

Candace's gaze flickered briefly towards Octavius before returning to Ariadne. "No, I've heard your side. It's time for hers."

Ariadne, her voice quivering, managed to utter, "I didn't want this, Dr. Rhodes."

"What is this?" Candace's expression softened, although her heart was heavy with the truth her student didn't want to express.

Octavius persisted, "Darling, we can resolve this without—"

"Get out here before I do something crazy," Candace snapped at her husband, tired of his interruptions and excuses. Octavius harrumphed loudly, picked up his jacket, and left.

On the one hand, Candace was relieved, but on the other… well, she knew her husband had lied about this encounter. Her heart was breaking, but based on Ariadne's reaction, this wasn't a normal situation. Something else was going on.

Candace made a pointed mental note that when Octavius's car had revved and disappeared, Ariadne breathed in relief.

"Dr. Rhodes… mmm…. Professor," Ariadne said, quivering, "I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"You're not causing trouble, Ariadne," Candace reassured, her tone unwavering. "Just tell me what happened."

"I-well, I know how it must have looked in there," her student began, and Candace was ready for anything. "But it wasn't… it really… wasn't…"

"So, you're not having an affair with my husband?" Candace asked pointedly.

"I-no, no, no, no, no," Ariadne replied, horrified. Then, the young girl burst into tears again. The college lecturer could only sigh. She knew she would get nothing from this young woman today. She was too shaken up.

However, Candace inferred something from her words. Ariadne didn't consider whatever was happening with her husband as "an affair." Was that just a matter of semantics? Something was going on between them. But what could it be?

Ariadne was still wailing an hour later, and Candace's earlier discomfort, forgotten only because of the surprising situation, returned. "Ariadne, I'm calling you a taxi to take you home, but I want you to go to my campus office tomorrow. I need an explanation to plan how to move forward."

"I'm so, so, sorry," the student sobbed.

"I know. You've said that many times now. But I don't feel well," the professor sighed. Candace called the taxi and escorted Ariadne out, hoping the young woman would heed her order and visit her tomorrow.

Afterward, Candace went to her room, showered, and changed into pajamas, waiting for Octavius to return. She paced the living room, her mind swirling with the unexpected encounter. Her husband finally arrived.

"Is she gone now?" Octavius asked, uncaring.

"Yes."

"What did she say?"

"What do you think?"

"Candace, I'm tired," he grumbled. "I don't want to play any games with you tonight."

"You're tired?" Candace retorted sarcastically. "Oh, excuse me. It's not you who's growing a human and has just discovered her husband with another woman in her own bedroom."

"For God's sake, you're still on about that?" Octavius threw his hands in the air and started walking to the bedroom.

"Don't walk away from me! We're getting to the bottom of this right now!"

"I already told you the truth. It's not my fault you don't believe it!" he snapped.

"Of course, I don't believe it! I'm not an idiot! I have two doctorates, Octo!" Candace said. "Something is going on, and if it's not an affair, it's something just as bad."

"Just as bad?"

"That girl couldn't stop crying!" she shouted accusingly. "You did something to her!"

"Excuse me?" Octavius demanded, offended.

"YES!"

"You are losing your mind," he continued, shaking his head and pacing their bedroom. "You are a professor of philosophy, but perhaps you should've focused on psychology. Maybe, then, you'll understand how insane you sound."

"You're not spinning this your way," Candace insisted, lowering her voice to a deadly tone. "I'm not some jury you can lie to to get your client out of trouble. I'm your wife. I'm carrying your child, and I demanded to know if you've been having affairs, particularly with Ariadne."

"I haven't touched that girl!" Octavius answered. "Happy? I haven't touched her! I advised her to change her career to something better! It was unfortunate that she followed me in here. But that's all!"

Haven't touched that girl… Candace considered her husband's words. It wasn't exactly an answer to her question, but it sounded genuine. She just needed to understand the catch. What was he hiding with that phrase?

Octavius sighed, getting closer. "My love, trust me. There's nothing to worry about. She was simply seeking guidance."

Candace nodded, although she wasn't convinced. But she needed to get her husband talking. Octavius always ran his mouth when he thought he was winning an argument. "Why did she need guidance," she continued, guiding the conversation forward.

"I'm not sure exactly," Octavius answered, his brows furrowing. "But I think she's worried about the future. Her future. Philosophy isn't exactly a career that'll open many doors."

"Is that why she cried?" Candace asked, crossing her arms.

Her husband shrugged, his face turning pensive. "Probably. She might be ashamed of considering another path. I think it's also that you immediately accused her of being a whore," he replied and continued, almost without noticing. "Besides, she's not the only other woman who's been in this room."

"What?" Candace asked, trying to sound nonchalant after catching his minor slip.

"You basically called her a whore."

"No, the other part."

"Oh...well, your mom and sisters have all been in here," Octavius answered quickly, but that was his personality, his gift. He was a good lawyer, after all. "Don't go thinking anything else."

Candace knew his game. He wanted to turn the blame on her again. "It just doesn't add up, Octavius," she muttered, yawning. "But I'm too tired for this. I came early because I wasn't feeling too well. I just want to rest."

"My dear, you're overthinking it," Octavius replied, his tone gentle yet insistent. "She looks up to you and sought my advice in your absence. I was simply lending a hand. Now, time for you to rest."

Candace lay in bed. "This conversation isn't over," she yawned again, and her husband smiled, pleased that he had won.

"Candace, darling, perhaps it's the pregnancy hormones playing tricks on you. Trust me, there's nothing to worry about," Octavius soothed. His hands went to the comforter and covered Candace's body. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Candace said and closed her eyes, pretending to fall asleep.

***

After breakfast, Candace retreated to the comfort of the living room sofa, her mind a whirlwind of uncertainty and suspicion. Octavius, seemingly unperturbed, took a seat across from her, a serene expression masking any apprehension he might have felt.

As the silence lingered, Candace's thoughts raced, the mention of other women echoing in her mind. She stole a glance at her husband, who picked up the TV remote.

"Do you want to watch the morning news before we get ready?" Octavius asked,

"I just remembered," Candace began, carefully choosing her words. "I left something in our room earlier. I'll be right back."

Without waiting for a response, Candace rose, her steps deliberate. She navigated through the hallway and slipped into their bedroom, her heart pounding.

Octavius watched her leave with a serene demeanor. He's probably thinking I forgot about the incident since I haven't said anything. She rummaged through the room until her eyes settled on Octavius's laptop, left open on the desk.

Candace hesitated, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before finally, with a resolute breath, she began to scroll through the contents. Her regular email account mostly had things from his assistant, clients, and other notifications.

It was normal, but then Candace checked his browsing history. Fortunately, it hadn't been cleared, and she scrolled through several sites, meaningless stuff, until several links to another site, known for being for emails, came up.

But Candace frowned. Octavius had strong opinions about emails and security and preferred using a specific brand for personal and professional use. Unless… Candace clicked, and luckily, it was logged in.

The first email in the inbox was Ariadne's, and Candace's finger hovered on the 'Enter' key, but she didn't have time to waste. She clicked again and read. A few minutes later… she wishes she hadn't. But she needed more.

Other names came up, and to her horror, Candace recognized many. Octavius had contacted many of her female students over the years. She's not the only other woman who's been in this room… her husband had muttered the previous day.

Candace needed to act quickly before Octavius decided to start getting ready. She sent herself as many emails as possible deleted them from the sent folder, and exited. A fierce gut punch doubled her over as she stood from the desk.

Candace ran to the toilet, knowing that this round of puking wasn't entirely the baby's fault.

"Oh, that's why you're taking so long," she heard Octavius's voice.

Candace lifted her torso slightly to flush the toilet. "Yeah, the baby didn't like breakfast today," she muttered, sniffing loudly.

"Do you want to go to the doctor?" he asked, and Candace hated that she didn't trust him anymore. Was he truly worried? She didn't know who her husband was anymore.

"No, but I'm calling the faculty," Candace shook her head. "I don't have the energy for work."

"That's a great idea," Octavius nodded. "But I have that big client…"

"Of course," Candace said. "I'll just go back to sleep so you can get ready."

Octavius left for work 30 minutes later, thinking his wife was sleeping. But Candace opened her eyes immediately and scrolled… and read, her heart sinking with each new, nasty word. After a while, she put down her phone, and her mind buzzed with questions and uncertainties. The evidence she had stumbled upon was more than unsettling. It changed everything.

Candace spent restless hours wrestling with conflicting thoughts and the unsettling truths she unearthed on Octavius's laptop. The revelations had torn down the facade of her marriage, exposing a darkness she hadn't fathomed before.

Her husband wasn't having an affair with Ariadne, but he wanted to. He wanted to have one so much that he was blackmailing the girl. Candace had combed through everything to discover that Octavius had catfished her student, gotten her to send explicit things, and afterward made demands.

Candace also knew that her husband had forced Ariadne into her home and her bedroom. If she hadn't arrived earlier… things would've gone further against her student's actual wishes. But that wasn't it. Octavius had done it before.

Other students from years earlier, like Calista, Priscilla, Aurelia, and Charmaine, had fallen for the same trap. None of them asked for it, and all were threatened with exposure, humiliation, and even expulsion if they didn't do what Octavius wanted.

Candace puked many times indeed, but at some point, they became dry heaves due to her empty stomach. What can I do? Should I call the police? Should I call the girls? Had they moved on? Would it be fair if I stepped back into their lives to remind them of this?

Worst of all, Octavius had threatened to expose them to Candace, whom they all loved and admired so much that it became impossible. His words were venomous, his threats insidious, painting a picture of coercion that kept turning Candace's stomach.

All kinds of questions swirled in her mind, but among them was, "Why? Why would he do this to these girls?" she asked herself.

Candace wasn't the kind of person to brag, but she and Octavius made a fantastic-looking couple. They were more than just conventionally attractive, and that was partly how they both became so good at their respective careers. Octavius could convince a priest to sin, which is how he easily tricked those girls into these insidious actions and how he silenced them when he was done.

The man she had trusted, the husband she believed in, was an architect of manipulation, preying upon the vulnerabilities of promising women. Candace also learned that Ariadne was the only current target, which wasn't a huge relief, but it was better than worrying about multiple students.

Ariadne's tearful face flashed in her mind, her words echoing like an ominous refrain during their last encounter. The weight of responsibility was pressed upon Candace, driving her to protect Ariadne and seek justice against Octavius.

Her phone rang unexpectedly, making her jump in bed. It was Ariadne, and Candace remembered what she had told her student.

"Dr. Rhodes, I'm at your office," Ariadne said timidly.

"I'm sorry. I'm not in," Candace replied, tired. "I'm at my house, and Ariadne, I know everything. I found his emails."

"Oh, no," her student's voice wavered, and Candace feared it would drive her into hysterics again.

"Ariadne, don't cry. Compose yourself," she demanded. "I'll get to the bottom of this and fix it. But I want to know something. Do you have screenshots, videos, and everything saved?"

"I-I d-do," Ariadne stuttered.

"Keep them safe somewhere. Back them up," Candace commanded. "And, if things go further, are you willing to make a statement? To police? In court?"

The young woman hesitated over the phone. "Yes," came a quiet but steely resolve.

"Good," Candace stated. "Wait for my call, and ignore Octavius from now on."

"Thank you, Dr. Rhodes," Ariadne said, her voice ringing with gratitude and bravery.

"I'll get him," Candace promised and hung up. Her fingers quickly searched for another phone number: the university dean, Dr. Cyprus, a wonderful woman who had been her mentor for many years. She had to tell people the truth and protect her students.

The dean understood her words, primarily worried about the girls who had dealt with this already. "I'll be calling my lawyer," Dr. Cyprus said, clearing her throat after the tough conversation. "But Candace, you know this could mean losing your job? I know it wasn't your fault, but your students were targets. It seems… intentional."

"I don't care," Candace responded firmly. "I want him in jail, and these girls deserve their justice."

"Very well," the dean said, a hint of pride in her voice. "You should call a lawyer, too."

***

A few days later, Candace sat across from Ariadne at the campus cafeteria. "How have you been feeling lately?" Candace's voice held a gentle concern, her eyes fixed on Ariadne's troubled expression.

Ariadne hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sweater. "I... I'm trying not to think about things, but it's hard," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Candace leaned forward, her empathy palpable. "It's okay, Ariadne. What happened was not your fault," she assured, her tone unwavering. "He knows how to find weaknesses. Despite your brilliance and brains, you come from a different world than him. He understands how to take advantage of that.

Ariadne's eyes welled up with tears; her vulnerability laid bare. "I can't stop thinking about it... about how he manipulated me," she confessed, her voice trembling.

Candace reached out, reassuringly touching Ariadne's, offering silent support. "I know it's tough, but you're stronger than you think. You're not alone in this," Candace affirmed.

"I just feel so guilty, Dr. Rhodes," Ariadne murmured, her voice choked with emotion.

Candace shook her head gently. "You don't need to carry that burden, Ariadne. You were a victim of manipulation," she emphasized.

"What's going to happen now?" Ariadne wondered, sniffing gently.

"After your last class, we'll go to the police station and make a statement," Candace replied. "You won't be alone. Others are joining us."

"Thank you for believing me, Dr. Rhodes," the young student said.

Candace nodded, swallowing thickly. "We'll get through this." I have to do this. It's basically my fault.

The ride to the police station was charged with anticipation and tension. Candace was quiet, still blaming herself and wondering how she didn't see any signs that her husband was such a vile man. Worst of all, she was carrying his child.

Ariadne sat quietly in the passenger seat. Candace glanced at her, noticing the young woman's fidgety fingers and downcast gaze. "How are you feeling?" Candace's voice was gentle.

Ariadne hesitated, grappling with her thoughts before speaking softly. "I'm... I don't know, Dr. Rhodes. I'm relieved we're doing something, but I'm also scared."

Candace nodded, keeping her eyes focused on the road. "It's okay to feel that way. This is a big step, and having mixed emotions is natural." Her calm tone disguised her real feelings: horror, regret, embarrassment.

"I keep wondering if I could've done something differently," Ariadne confessed, her voice tinged with a trace of anguish.

Candace exhaled slowly, her grip on the steering wheel steady. "You were tricked, coerced into something no one should ever experience."

"But I fell for it. I believed him," Ariadne murmured, her voice laden with regret. "I always scoffed at those catfished, and here I am. I've been using the internet for 15 years and fell for it."

Candace glanced at her, her expression softened. "Octavius had clear experience tricking girls into...well, doing what he did. He knew how to exploit vulnerabilities. It doesn't make you weak for trusting someone."

Silence settled between them for a moment, the soft hum of the car engine filling the space.

Finally, Candace spoke again, her voice carrying a firm resolve. "What you're doing is incredibly brave. Speaking up, standing against something wrong takes courage."

***

Detective Reynolds, a sturdy man with a no-nonsense aura, guided Candace and Ariadne through the sterile corridors of the police station. The atmosphere was charged, a palpable tension clinging to each step as they made their way to a private interview room.

Candace's lawyer, Mr. Murcia, accompanied them, but he told them to speak from their hearts and tell the detective everything. He would only step in if necessary. She just wanted him there so they could build a proper case.

Candace's demeanor remained steady, a pillar of support for her shaken student. Ariadne clutched her bag tightly, her knuckles white against the fabric.

Reynolds ushered them into the room, offering a reassuring nod before taking a seat across from the pair. "Please, take your time. I want you both to feel as comfortable as possible."

Ariadne perched on the edge of the chair, her posture tense. "I... I'll try," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Candace sat beside her, a calming presence. "We're ready, Detective," she affirmed, her gaze steady.

Reynolds leaned forward, his gaze attentive yet gentle. "Let's start at the beginning. Tell me what happened."

Recalling the ordeal, Ariadne's voice trembled as she recounted the sequence of events, her words measured but filled with underlying distress. "It began when I downloaded an app. I thought he looked familiar, but I couldn't remember."

Candace listened intently as she knew the contents of the emails but not the entire story well. Although Octavius had used his real pictures and name, he didn't reveal who he truly was until much later. He had gotten her to send explicit things and made demands afterward.

By the time Ariadne learned who he was and who he was married to, it was too late.

"I recalled then meeting him at a student-faculty mixer," Ariadne continued, swallowing. "But I swear, I didn't remember him while we talked on the app. By then, it was too late."

The detective nodded, scribbling notes as they spoke. "And then?"

Ariadne's hands fidgeted, her voice quivering. "He... threatened me, said he'd ruin everything if I didn't. My career, my life. My parents are… conservative, to say the least. Not politically, but socially and religiously. If my private photos and videos got out there… they would never talk to me again."

Candace's jaw tightened. "He wanted to coerce her into doing more."

"Coerced you into sex?" the detective raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, sir," Ariadne nodded.

"He would've gotten away with it if I hadn't gotten home early," Candace added, reaching for Ariadne's hand.

Detective Reynolds leaned back, absorbing the details. "Do you have any evidence of these communications?"

Candace retrieved her phone, flicking through emails and screenshots. She handed the device over, including all the extra stuff Ariadne had given her, displaying the incriminating messages. "These are the emails and screenshots. It's all there."

The detective reviewed the evidence, his expression grave. "Thank you for this. It'll be crucial for the investigation. But I must warn you, his lawyers will fight this matter, saying he didn't do anything to you."

"Others are coming forward," Candace assured Detective Reynolds. "They'll give their statement soon."

Reynolds offered a compassionate nod. "We'll thoroughly investigate this matter. You've shown immense bravery by coming forward."

Ariadne sniffed, her eyes moist. "Will... will he be stopped?"

"It all depends on the investigation."

Candace nodded, her grip on Ariadne's shoulder gentle. "Thank you, Detective."

They left the station with a sense of weight lifted off their shoulders, yet an air of uncertainty lingered. Candace hailed a cab for Ariadne, offering her a supportive smile as they parted ways. Heading home, Candace's mind buzzed, contemplating the uncertain road ahead.

***

The tension mounted as Candace entered her home, her heart pounding with the weight of what she had just done. Octavius sat in the living room, an air of smugness about him. He obviously won a case today.

"Where have you been?" Octavius's voice was calm, his smile proud.

Candace locked eyes with him, her expression steely. "I was at the police station."

His smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he attempted to regain his composure. "At the police station? What for?"

Candace's voice remained firm. "I was there with Ariadne."

Octavius's facade of indifference crumbled, replaced by a flash of panic. "Ariadne? Why would you take her to the police?"

Candace's eyes bore into his, her voice unwavering. "Because she finally spoke up about what you did to her. About how you manipulated her, blackmailed her."

Octavius's face contorted with disbelief, his mask of calm cracking. "You can't be serious. You're making this up."

"I wish I were," Candace retorted, tired. "But I saw the evidence, the messages, everything you did to coerce her. And she's not the only one."

Octavius stood, his expression a mixture of fury and panic. "You have no idea what you've done. You think you can ruin me with these lies?"

"They're not lies!" Candace's voice rose, her frustration boiling over. "You preyed on her vulnerability, on her trust, and I won't let you get away with it."

Octavius lunged forward, grabbing Candace's arm, his grip tight. "You will regret this. You think you can destroy everything we have because of some ridiculous allegations? We're having a baby!"

Candace winced at his grip but refused to cower. "I'm done, Octavius. I won't stand by and watch you destroy others' lives. I'm taking a stand. I should've known sooner."

With a sudden surge of strength, she pulled away from his grasp, her eyes fixed on him with unwavering determination. Candace stormed into their bedroom, her hands trembling as she began packing a bag. Octavius followed, his face a mask of desperation, attempting to spin a new tale to salvage the unraveling situation.

"Candace, listen to me," Octavius pleaded, stepping closer. "Ariadne is manipulating you. She's jealous of us, of what we have. She's trying to destroy our marriage."

Candace continued packing, her movements deliberate, ignoring his attempts to sway her. "Ariadne didn't manipulate me. I saw the evidence, Octavius. I saw what you did."

Octavius shook his head, his tone tinged with urgency. "You have to believe me. She's lying. I made a mistake, but it wasn't like that."

"You made a mistake?" Candace spun around, her eyes blazing with fury and disappointment. "You call preying on a vulnerable, poor young woman a mistake? Blackmailing her into doing things she never wanted to do?"

Octavius reached out, trying to touch her arm, but she flinched away. "That's not what it was! She made it look that way. You have to understand—"

"No, I understand perfectly," Candace interrupted, her voice cutting through his attempt at justification. "I understand that you think you can charm your way out of this, but it's over, Octavius. I won't stay here and condone what you've done."

Octavius's expression twisted with frustration. "Candace, please. We can work through this. Don't do something you'll regret."

"I won't regret standing up for what's right," Candace asserted firmly, zipping up her bag. "I won't let you lie to me anymore."

As she made her way towards the door, Octavius grabbed her arm again, his grip tighter this time. "You can't leave. You're overreacting."

Candace looked at him with steely determination. "I'm not overreacting. You may want to spin it, but I saw the truth, Octavius."

With a forceful tug, she broke free and walked out, leaving behind a shattered marriage and a man whose deception had finally been laid bare.

***

The courtroom hummed with the regularity of legal proceedings. Octavius, in his element, meticulously crafted arguments in defense of his client accused of fraud. His eloquence flowed effortlessly, a practiced facade concealing the turmoil in his personal life.

As he presented his case, weaving words like a skilled artisan, Candace watched from the back, hidden in the sea of spectators. She observed the familiar facade of confidence on her husband's face, which she had once believed in. But Octavius's time was up, as Candace's lawyer had tipped her.

"Your Honor, the evidence presented against my client is circumstantial at best," Octavius stated with unwavering conviction, his voice resonating. "There is reasonable doubt that casts a shadow on the prosecution's claims."

Candace couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness at the ease with which he manipulated facts and perceptions. It starkly contrasted the deceitful nature she now knew him to possess.

Midway through Octavius's argument, an unexpected interruption fractured the courtroom's routine. Officers entered, whispering to the judge, whose expression changed subtly as he glanced toward Octavius.

The judge called for a recess, prompting Octavius to pause his argument. Confusion flashed across his face as officers approached him. "What's going on?" he demanded, his voice tight with controlled panic.

"Mr. Rhodes, you're under arrest," one of the officers stated, the words sending a ripple of shock through the courtroom.

Octavius's facade shattered, his composure faltering for the first time. "Arrest? This is absurd! On what grounds?" His protests echoed in the suddenly tense atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Detective Reynolds, a figure of authority, entered the courtroom. His presence added gravity to the situation.

"I'm Detective Reynolds. We have a warrant for your arrest, Mr. Rhodes," the detective announced, his tone unwavering. "You need to come with us."

Octavius Rhodes, a mix of anger and confusion etched on his face, attempted to regain control. "This is a mistake! You have no right to—"

"Save it for the station, Mr. Rhodes," Detective Reynolds interrupted, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "You'll have your chance to explain."

Candace, hidden in the background, witnessed the spectacle unfold. The collision of her husband's two worlds—the courtroom and the impending reality of his arrest—exposed the stark contrast between the man she thought she knew and the person he truly was.

As Octavius was led away, his protests fading into the corridors of justice, Candace silently slipped out of the courtroom, thinking of the many ways she had to rebuild her life and future.

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