Betrayal

Chapter 21

Warren

The beer goes down smooth.

I stare at the blue jewelry box in my hand, then open it. It's a necklace from Tiffany's. Beautiful, just her style, with a diamond encrusted pendant that shines. I bought it in March in preparation for our wedding anniversary, which is today.

I'm waiting for her now in my office. I've dressed in a nice gray, three piece suit. I gave myself a close shave. I attempted to fix my hair to no avail. I'm ready to go. We have reservations at one of her favorite restaurants downtown. She's still getting ready, so I decided to have a beer and wait.

I continue to stare at the box, then tuck it into the inside pocket of my jacket. My nerves feel off. We've celebrated so many anniversaries together and this is the first year I've felt this way. I know it's because of what I've been doing with Ali.

We haven't spoken since yesterday evening. She left the hotel first and I followed shortly after. When I arrived at home Rebecca was back with the kids. We spent the rest of the evening in the living room, watching television, and lying on the couch. My guilt was palpable, but I did well not to show it.

I slept like a log and I know that's because I over exerted myself. Three orgasms in the span of a couple hours took all of the energy out of me. When I woke up the bed was empty and it was nearly noon. Rebecca jokingly asked me if I felt okay because I never sleep in like that.

The rest of my day has been spent thinking. Mostly on my marriage, the years that have passed, all of the things we've shared. Four perfect children, a life, fights, laughter, and love.

Run away with me.

I close my eyes tightly. I shouldn't have said that. I'm not sure what came over me. She simply swallowed my come. It's an act that Rebecca has always detested and has only done a handful of times. Usually on my birthday. And Ali did it so easily, without question. But that's not a reason to run away with someone. I didn't mean it. It just came out.

I made love to her. I promised myself I wouldn't do that. It would just be romps and rough fucking and no feelings. But I know myself and know that I'm starting to feel things for her I shouldn't be. I care for her deeply already. I worry about her, think about her, and can't get her out of my head. She's been through so much and I have an overwhelming urge to help her and be there for her.

It feels hopeless.

It is hopeless because it isn't going to lead to anything. I'm married. I have children. She's young and has her whole life ahead of her. I can't throw my entire life away for this. I can't lose my son. It just isn't a possibility.

It's only an affair. Remember who you are. Keep your priorities straight.

"Ready?"

I look up to see Rebecca standing in the doorway of my office. She's smiling and looks beautiful. She does a slow spin in her dress. It's backless, fits her figure perfectly, and I smile.

"You look beautiful, sweetheart," I say and stand. "Let's get going."

When I reach her she kisses my cheek, then my lips, and I stare down at her face. She's so done up and her makeup is put on to perfection. I touch her face, caress her bottom lip with my thumb, and pull her into a hug. I feel so guilty. She hasn't done a thing to deserve this. I try to think of some reason, but there isn't one.

There was the time, a few years into our marriage, when she had a very obvious crush on a prominent author we had met at a party. They texted and talked and met up behind my back. I confronted her. She stopped it. It wasn't a physical affair. She never slept with him. We talked it through. She felt lonely because of how often I worked. She was home with two kids, practically raising them by herself due to my rigorous schedule, twenty four hour shifts some days, constant surgeries, always on call. But that was it.