A few days after Isabelle gave birth, Clara was still struggling to come to terms with Marcus's betrayal. She had spent the past few days avoiding him, not ready to face him or talk about what had happened. She needed time to think, to process her emotions, and to decide what she wanted to do.

One morning, as Clara was getting ready for work, she received a call from the hospital's security department. They had found some footage that they thought she should see.

Clara arrived at the hospital and was led to a small room where a security guard was waiting for her. He played the footage on a monitor, and Clara's heart sank as she watched.

The footage showed Marcus entering Isabelle's hospital room late at night, long after visiting hours were over. He stayed for several hours, and the two of them were clearly seen talking and holding hands.

Clara felt sick to her stomach. She had known that Marcus had been having an affair with Isabelle, but seeing it on the security footage made it all too real. She felt betrayed, hurt, and angry all at once.

The security guard looked at Clara sympathetically. 'I'm sorry, Mrs. Rhodes,' he said. 'We thought you should know.'

Clara thanked him and left the room. She walked out of the hospital, feeling numb. She didn't know where to go or what to do.

She ended up at a nearby park, sitting on a bench and staring at the ducks in the pond. She thought about her marriage, about all the years she had spent with Marcus. She had thought they were happy, but now she realized that she had been living a lie.

Clara sat there for a long time, lost in her thoughts. Eventually, she decided to go home. She needed to face Marcus and confront him about the affair once and for all.

When she arrived home, Marcus was sitting in the living room, waiting for her. He looked up as she walked in, his eyes filled with guilt and remorse.

'Clara, I'm sorry,' he said. 'I know I've hurt you, and I'm so sorry.'

Clara didn't say anything. She just walked over to the couch and sat down, staring at him.

Marcus took a deep breath. 'I know you saw the security footage,' he said. 'I don't have any excuses. I was wrong, and I'm sorry.'

Clara still didn't say anything. She just continued to stare at him, her eyes filled with pain and anger.

Marcus hung his head. 'I don't know what else to say, Clara,' he said. 'I know I've messed up, and I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I love you, and I want to make things right.'

Clara finally spoke. 'How could you do this to me, Marcus?' she asked. 'How could you betray me like this?'

Marcus looked at her, his eyes pleading. 'I don't know, Clara,' he said. 'I was stupid and selfish. I made a mistake.'

Clara shook her head. 'A mistake? You've been having an affair with Isabelle for months, Marcus. This wasn't a one-time thing. This was a betrayal of our marriage, of our trust.'

Marcus nodded. 'I know,' he said. 'And I'm sorry. I'll do anything to make it up to you.'

Clara stood up. 'I don't know if I can ever forgive you, Marcus,' she said. 'But I need some time to think.'

Marcus stood up too. 'Of course,' he said. 'Take all the time you need.'

Clara walked out of the room, leaving Marcus alone. She went upstairs to their bedroom and closed the door behind her. She lay down on the bed, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained.

As she lay there, she thought about her options. She could stay with Marcus and try to work things out, or she could leave him and start a new life on her own. She didn't know what to do.

Over the next few days, Clara continued to struggle with her decision. Marcus tried to talk to her, to apologize and make amends, but she wasn't ready to listen.

Finally, after a week of soul-searching, Clara made up her mind. She decided to leave Marcus and start a new life.

She packed her bags and moved out of the house. She found a small apartment in the city and started to rebuild her life.

It wasn't easy. She missed Marcus, and she missed the life they had shared together. But she knew that she had to move on, for her own sake.

As time passed, Clara slowly began to heal. She started a new job, made new friends, and learned to enjoy life again.

She still thought about Marcus from time to time, but she knew that she had made the right decision. She had found the strength to move on, and she was determined to make the most of her new life.