“You didn’t even talk to me.”
“I did.”
“When?”
“Friday.”
“That was an argument.”
“No.”
The Husband’s voice remained calm.
“You told me you were leaving with another man.”
The Wife stepped toward him.
“You cannot make a permanent decision because I made one mistake.”
“One mistake?”
“Yes.”
The Husband almost laughed.
“You packed a bag.”
“I was confused.”
“You ordered a car.”
“I needed space.”
“You spent nights with him.”
The Wife said nothing.
“You told me you wanted to try other men.”
“I was emotional.”
“You told me I’d forgive you.”
The Wife’s eyes filled.
“That’s what this is about.”
The Husband frowned.
“You’re punishing me because I said that.”
“No.”
“You want to prove me wrong.”
“No.”
“Then why the gift?”
The Husband looked at the watch.
“Because I bought it before I knew Friday was coming.”
The Wife stared.
“I didn’t buy it to manipulate you.”
A pause.
“I bought it for the woman I believed I’d be married to next month.”
The Wife’s face broke slightly.
“You could return it.”
“Yes.”
“Then why give it to me?”
The Husband looked toward the boxes.
“Because keeping it felt worse.”
She began crying.
The Husband felt pain immediately.
Old instinct.
Comfort her.
Fix it.
Take back the harsh sentence.
Bring her inside.
Make tea.
Tell her they would figure something out.
He recognized the instinct.
That was the pattern.
He did not move.
The Wife noticed.
“You’re just standing there.”
“Yes.”
“I’m crying.”
“I can see.”
“You don’t care?”
The question hurt.
The Husband answered honestly.
“I care too much.”
The Wife wiped her face angrily.
“That makes no sense.”
“It does to me.”
He took a breath.
“If I hated you, this would be easier.”
Her eyes softened.
“Then don’t do it.”
The Husband closed his eyes briefly.
The Wife stepped closer.
“Please.”
He opened them.
“You said you still loved me.”
“I do.”
“I still love you.”
Her face changed.
Hope.
The Husband continued before she misunderstood.
“That doesn’t mean I can stay married to you.”
The hope disappeared.
The Wife shook her head.
“This is insane.”
“No.”
“You’re throwing away three years.”
“I’m accepting Friday.”
“We could go to counseling.”
“We could have.”
“Could?”
“Before you left.”
“So nobody gets a second chance?”
The Husband almost smiled sadly.
“You’ve had dozens.”
“That is not fair.”
He looked at her.
“Then tell me something.”
“What?”
“What consequence did you believe Friday would have?”
The Wife opened her mouth.
Stopped.
He continued.
“You believed I’d be angry.”
“Yes.”