Nine Years, One Betrayal

up my phone screen.

y meeting early this morning. It's going to b

together. Another lie. So easy for her. Was

ional man. A vice president. I solved complex problems for a living. But

, every anniversary we celebrated. It was all tainted. Had she been thinking of him du

ing into every good memory I had,

poured a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid burning i

sting long shadows across the empty living room. Th

walked in, looking tired but pleased with herself. She had

the nearly empty bottle

concern, the same fake concern she had used the n

deceitful face. The sight of her

aid, my words s

oming over and trying to take the glass from

to say? 'How was your day wi

f it all made m

away from her touc

space between us before I said something I wou

sink. I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were bloodsh

not be d

laid out a plate of food for me on the table. My

she said softly. "You

cheated on me all day, and she thought a p

ly inadequate for the scale of her be

hungry,

bedroom, closing the door behind me. I didn't wait

he door. After a few moments, I heard h

of food was still on the table, cold and

aped the entire contents into the trash can. I watche

miliar rhythm of reports and spreadsheets was a comfort,

had her ringtone set to a special song.

t it

as still in control, where my value was clear and my effo

en, building a fortress of logic an

in. It was her, ca

and went ba