Chapter 5: A Conversation with a Friend

The sound of laughter and chatter filled the trendy Melbourne café as Luiza met with her friend, Ana, a fellow Brazilian model. They had known each other for years, and Ana had been one of the first people Luiza had confided in after discovering Jack's affair. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, making Luiza's stomach growl with hunger. Ana, with her bright smile and infectious energy, immediately drew Luiza into a conversation about everything and nothing. But as they sipped their lattes and nibbled on pastries, Luiza's mind kept drifting back to Jack and the situation she found herself in. "Ana, I feel like I'm living a lie," Luiza said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can do this anymore." Ana's expression turned serious, and she reached out to take Luiza's hand. "Do what?" she asked, her eyes searching. "This," Luiza said, gesturing vaguely. "The marriage, the pretending, the... the everything. I feel like I'm just going through the motions, but I'm not really living." Ana nodded sympathetically. "You've been feeling this way for a while now, haven't you?" Luiza nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I just don't know how to get out of it. I love Jack, Ana. I really do. But... but this? It's like he's taken away the one thing that made our marriage real to me." Ana squeezed her hand. "You deserve so much better than a cheating husband, Luiza. Take care of yourself, prioritize your own happiness. You can't control Jack's actions, but you can control how you react to them." Luiza took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve wash over her. "You're right, Ana. I need to focus on myself, on Lucas... on what I want." As they chatted, Luiza's phone buzzed with a message from Jack. She hesitated for a moment before glancing at the screen. It was a simple "Hey, beautiful, just checking in" message, but it made her heart twist with a mix of emotions. Ana noticed Luiza's expression and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Luiza sighed, showing Ana the message. "Just Jack. He's being... usual." Ana's eyes sparkled with amusement. "The usual?" Luiza laughed, a wry smile spreading across her face. "Yeah. You know, 'Hey, beautiful'... like that means anything now." Ana's expression turned serious. "You need to be careful, Luiza. You can't let him manipulate you into staying in this toxic situation. You deserve better." Luiza nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. She knew Ana was right – she did deserve better. And as they parted ways, Luiza felt a renewed sense of determination, a resolve to take control of her life and make the changes she needed to make. Later that day, Jack met up with his friends Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for a casual lunch. The conversation was light and easy, with jokes and laughter flowing freely. But beneath the surface, Jack's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by Luiza and the mess he had created. As they talked about their upcoming matches and their strategies, Jack couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that had been weighing him down. He knew he had to make things right with Luiza, but he wasn't sure where to start. "I'm in a tough spot, guys," Jack said, his voice low and serious. "I messed up big time." Jannik and Carlos exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions sympathetic. "What happened?" Jannik asked, his voice gentle. Jack took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto his friends. "I had an affair. And now my wife is... she's not happy with me." The conversation that followed was a raw and honest one, with Jack's friends offering words of advice and encouragement. But as they parted ways, Jack couldn't shake off the feeling that he had a long and difficult road ahead of him. As the day drew to a close, Luiza and Jack were scheduled to attend a sponsors' event together. Luiza spent hours getting ready, her mind racing with thoughts of Jack and the situation she found herself in. She knew she had to put on a brave face, for the sake of their son and their marriage, but it was getting harder and harder to pretend. As they arrived at the event, Luiza was struck by the glamour and glitz of it all. She smiled and laughed, playing the role of the happy wife, but inside, she was dying. She knew she had to find a way to heal, to move forward, but for now, she was stuck in this nightmare of her own making.