“At that party, I met Ella and lost my senses: It was the worst mistake of my life. My wife would never forgive such betrayal.”

Cora and I met during our college years at a bustling student council meeting on a cold December day. The air was filled with the scent of coffee and the buzz of eager young minds ready to tackle university issues. I was late, as usual, slipping into the room during a heated debate about the logistics of renting costumes for the upcoming winter gala. Normally, I would have dived into the fray, offering my two cents and helping to broker a solution. But that day was different.

As I made my way to an empty seat, my eyes caught a glimpse of Ella. She was arguing passionately about budget allocations, her eyes alight with fervor. Something about her intensity and the way she commanded attention captivated me. I found myself inexplicably drawn to her, my usual punctuality and focus for the meeting completely forgotten.

Cora and I had been together since our sophomore year, a relationship built on shared goals and deep mutual respect. We were the couple everyone expected to last, the ones who balanced each other out perfectly. She was studying law, and I was in business school, both of us envisioning a future filled with success and happiness.

As the weeks went by, I found myself looking for excuses to interact with Ella. It started with group projects, then coffee runs during breaks, and slowly escalated to late-night study sessions that Cora didn’t know about. I told myself it was harmless, that I was just intrigued by Ella’s intellect and nothing more.

The turning point came at another student council party, held to celebrate the end of the semester. The atmosphere was electric, everyone relieved from the pressure of finals and ready to unwind. Ella looked stunning, and perhaps it was the combination of the dim lighting and the few drinks I had, but I found myself in a compromising situation. We kissed, and in that moment, I felt a rush of excitement mixed with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

I woke up the next day filled with remorse. What had I done? I had betrayed Cora, the woman who had stood by me through everything. The guilt ate at me, and I knew I had to confess. The look on Cora’s face when I told her about the kiss was something I would never forget. It was a mix of disbelief, hurt, and betrayal. She walked away without a word, and that was the last time I saw her.

The fallout was immediate and devastating. Our mutual friends took sides, most siding with Cora. My relationship with Ella fizzled out as quickly as it had started; what we had was built on a moment of folly, not on something real. I had lost the love of my life over a fleeting moment of indiscretion.

Looking back, I realize how foolish I was to risk everything for a momentary thrill. Cora never forgave me, and I never forgave myself. The lesson was harsh but clear: some mistakes carry a weight too heavy to ever lift.