Chapter60
Willy’s voice trembled as she spoke, “I don’t want you or Dad to be sad mom.” Her words struck a chord, and I felt my chest constrict. I kissed her temple, trying to comfort her.
“We’ll all find a way to be happy, baby,” I ensured, pushing aside the ache within me.
For now, I shielded her from the painful truth, focusing instead on her recovery and well–being. Willy’s health was my priority, and I wouldn’t burden her with the weight of our descending marriage. I forced a gentle smile, pouring all my love into this moment, and hugged her tight.
The next day, at the picnic, Willy’s infectious laughter filled the air as she played with a new friend
and her energetic dog. Wilson and I sat together, yet worlds apart, our faces mirroring a shared sense of pride and gratitude. We watched our little girl, her smile radiant, her joy unbridled, and
felt blessed. For this fleeting moment, our differences were forgotten, and we were united in our love for Willy.
In that instant, I realized that’s all that remained of our shattered bond – our shared parenthood.
The fragments of our relationship had disintegrated into dust, beyond repair. Yet, amidst the ruins,
one unshakeable foundation remained: Willy. She deserved a life built on truth, no matter how
harsh. I vowed to ensure she’d never suffer the pain of discovering we’d lied and hidden our
struggles, only to have them surface later, causing deeper wounds.
“Why did you tell me about it when you’d already decided to keep it hidden?” I asked, my voice laced with confusion. Wilson sighed, his expression enigmatic. I searched his face, trying to decipher the emotion behind his weary exhale – was it relief or sorrow? – but his eyes remained
inscrutable.
“Because, over these months, I’ve come to realize that no matter how I spin it, the truth remains –
I cheated. Not completely, perhaps, but partially. I let someone else cross the boundary that should have been exclusively yours. I lost sight of our love and allowed someone to captivate my interest in ways they shouldn’t have. That’s my fault, my screw–up. How can I then expect you to keep giving, to keep sacrificing for a relationship I’ve compromised? I told you the truth to give you the choice
you deserve – to walk away, to stay, or to redefine what we have.” He explained.
but the
“And if I stay,” I asked. “do you see us returning to what we once were, or building something new?” Wilson’s silence was deafening. I searched his eyes, avoided mine, and I knew, deep down, he understood the truth – we were done. The fragile threads holding us together had snapped, leaving only remnants of a love that once was. His hesitation confirmed what I’d already accepted: our relationship was beyond repair.
“Maybe we can,” he said finally, his voice laced with hesitation. But his words rang hollow, devoid of conviction. I heard the doubt, the uncertainty, and the lingering guilt. His eyes, once bright with assurance, now faltered, unable to meet mine. The unspoken understanding between us was clear: those three words were a desperate attempt to cling to a fading hope, not a genuine promise of
renewal.
Chapter60
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“We can’t,” I whispered, the words escaping on a sigh. Wilson’s eyes locked onto mine, searching for a glimmer of hope. “It’s not that you haven’t tried to make amends, to redeem yourself,” 1 continued, my voice soft but resolute. “But this isn’t about forgiveness anymore. It’s about the pieces that can’t be put back together, the trust that’s been irreparably shattered.” He nodded slowly, expressing his understanding, as if he’d known, deep down, that our love was beyond
repair.
“After everything we’ve been through, this change should be cherished, trusted, and valued,” I specified my voice cracking.
“Yet, I find myself incapable of doing so. Our marriage, our relationship, the intimacy, the deep trust – it all feels like trying to repair something that’s beyond salvage. It’s like pouring a fortune into fixing a broken vessel when, for the same price, you could buy a new one, whole and unbroken.” Wilson’s eyes locked onto mine, his gaze blurring as tears welled up, his face etched with a deep sorrow, as if he saw the finality of our demise unfolding before him.
“Repairing this,” I gestured to the space between us, “feels like asking more of myself than I have left to give. I’m exhausted from pouring and pouring and pouring, only to watch it seep away.” My voice faded, and my hand trembled, betraying my emotions. Wilson’s eyes filled with compassion as he reached out and enveloped my shaking hand in his.
“A few months ago, I would have fought, tried to convince you to stay,” Wilson said, his voice laced with resignation. “But now… I think you’re right. Not for me, but for you. I can’t bear seeing you like this, Leo,” his words faltered, choking on the emotion that swelled in his throat. He struggled to -continue, his voice crackling, “Your light has dimmed, and it’s killing me. I want you to find your
way back to happiness, even if it means letting you go.”
