She Chose Power Over Our Love

n my own living room, being introduced to the man who was my wife

s smile was polished, his grip firm. "I'm so sorry for y

back at his face. I didn't mov

said, my voice flat.

, her voice sharp. "Mark is our guest

n't turn around.

"I'm making dinner. It's the first t

ove a dozen times. She always said she was too busy, that it was a waste of her time. But for Mark, she was making dinner. The gest

ry," I said,

She strode back into the li

dn't overhear. "Are you trying to embarrass me? Mark is a crucial part

very civil rig

enged. "Are you jealous? Is that it? After everything we've just been th

thtaking. She was accu

oice calm and reasonable. He was playing the part of the peacemaker,

back on me. "David is just... he's not

behavior, twisting my silent rage into a symptom

machines, but not always with people. You, on the other hand," she said, turning her bright, admiri

of grief, rage, and betrayal that I

quiet at first, then rising with every word. "

to look at me, su

ny! I worked weekends, I worked holidays, I poured every ounce of my creativi

oped the energy efficiency protocols that saved the company millions! And all I ever heard from y

ld him to be brave because his mother was a genius who would find a way to save him! I put my entire life on h

dead. He's in the ground. And you're here, entertaining your... your partner, talking abo

ace pale. Mark looked uncomfortable,

she was seeing me for the first time. Then her exp

voice trembling with ra

itter sound. "This is my house, too.

r voice as cold as a tombst

sense of peace. The fight was over. There was nothing left to save, nothing left to

ady again. I felt strangely

a suitcase from the top of the closet and started thro

n the doorway. Her anger seemed to

et's not do this. We're both upset. We're grievi

t and placed it on the fl

Sarah," I said. "I'm calling a l

absolute. Her face went from panicked to furiou