Here And Now

35. Karma

RUBIN AND CLAIRE

7 months ago

The air in the room felt heavy as Rubin summoned the courage to broach the delicate subject that had been weighing on his mind for weeks.

Claire sat across from him, her eyes filled with concern, sensing that something was amiss.

He could still recall the day he first witnessed her beauty. She was 22 and he was 36. He thought himself too old and below her league for her to ever notice him.

But where he lacked in physical beauty, he more than efficiently surplused in money.

And he hadn't blamed or ever held a grudge against Claire for marrying him for money. Afterall, he had married her for her beauty.

It was fair deal.

"Claire," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "I need to talk to you about something important."

He loved Claire more than words could express, and her happiness meant everything to him. Yet, he also understood the limitations of their relationship.

A car accident a few months ago had left him with a permanent disability, rendering him unable to fulfill Claire's physical desires.

Despite his best efforts, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that gnawed at him every time he looked into her eyes.

Claire nodded, her gaze never leaving his face, silently urging him to continue.

"I know that I haven't been able to satisfy your needs physically," Rubin confessed, his heart pounding in his chest. "And it breaks my heart to see you longing for something that I can't give you."

Claire reached out to grasp his hand, a tender gesture of reassurance.

"It's not your fault, Rubin," she whispered, her voice filled with compassion. "I love you more than anything in this world, and nothing could ever change that."

Rubin swallowed hard, his throat constricted with emotion. He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I've been thinking a lot about our situation," he admitted, his words coming out in a rush. "And I know this might sound crazy, but... what if we consider... an open marriage?"

Claire's eyes widened in surprise, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"An open marriage?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yes. I want you to be happy, Claire. And if that means finding pleasure with someone else, then I want to support you in that."

Claire was speechless, her mind reeling with the enormity of Rubin's suggestion.

But before she could respond, he continued.

"But there's one condition," he added hastily, his eyes locking with hers.

"I want you to choose someone who's married as well. That way, there's less chance of... of feelings getting in the way."

Claire studied Rubin's face, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But all she saw was unwavering sincerity and unconditional love.

"But that is so wrong. Along with our marriage we are going to put someone else's marriage on line as well? I...I just don't think I can do that." With that Claire stormed out of the room.

Over the course of the next few days,  Claire and Rubin continued to act as if the conversation between them hadn't happened. Though it kept replaying like a broken record at the back of Claire's mind.