"Wow. So I was never a partner for you, just an acquisition from the start. You knew everything and never said a word. Didn't ask me if I wanted to share. You just took it. My childhood, my relationships, my demons, every little thing I thought was mine."
"There should be no secrets in a marriage," he says softly. "You weren't going to share any of that. Which one of us is worse?"
I spring up, arms flinging wide, and spit: "Fine, but then why? Why stay with me if you knew what a mess I am? If I don't fit into your perfect picture?"
For once, no comeback—his superior smirk flickers, then dies completely. His eyes soften from ice into something raw and he sighs, defeated.
"Because I love you. I knew it the moment I read it because none of it mattered to me."
My breath stutters.
"I love you more than you can imagine." He barely finishesthe sentence before he turns on his heel and retreats into the bathroom.
I hear him turn on the water on max, trying to drown the heavy sighs and whatever he's muttering to himself.
Meanwhile, I haven't been able to move, feeling numb.
When Richard comes back, his hair is damp and his eyes are rimmed red.
He runs his hands through his hair, his breathing ragged. "I don't want to fight like this, but it's... a lot. I just found out the woman I love doesn't love me back. I hope you can understand."
He doesn't look scary anymore—he looks hurt.
And despite what he told me, that hurts me too because I care about him, so I can't help my own set of tears.
"Richard. There's nothing I can say other than sorry," I say, sniffling. "What I did is unacceptable, you're right. I should have told you. Should have come to you and explained. I'm a stupid girl who made a huge mistake."
Hope flickers across his somber face. "Was he the mistake?"
I don't answer, but the truth glints, undeniable, in my eyes—marrying him was the mistake; running from Ben was the original sin.
"I'm so sorry," I say, turning into cries until the sobs choke me. "I'm not your wife anymore. You deserve someone so, so much better."
Richard presses his eyes shut, blowing out a long breath. "I'll be the judge of that."
"I have to go to New York for Mara's wedding because I'm her bridesmaid, but in a few days—"
"Weare going," he corrects me, eyes pointed.
I blink at him, caught off guard. Shake my head. "There is no way. Why would you even want to go?"
"Not everything in life is about romance," he says flatly. "I have a business meeting in New York. We planned the opera. We're meeting the governor and partners are expected there."
So it's about work again.
He notices my face go blank, and something flickers behind his eyes.
Before I know it, he crosses the space between us and pulls me into his arms. "All of that is bullshit. You want to know the real reason? Another man is stealing my wife, who I thought would be beside me forever, that's why. I wasn't a perfect husband, I know that, and I'm sorry, but this... it's breaking me."
The second I feel his wet tears on my ear, my throat locks. "I'm sorry, Richard."
"I want to see that he treats you well. I want to know he's good to you."
Stunned, I pull away and look at Richard's tear-streaked face.
My stomach drops. "But the things you said about him—"
"I am angry. You can't hold it against me."
