Because if you hadn't said it, we'd probably still be living the same life. She didn't understand. I continued. I would have spent another year pretending nothing was wrong. You would have kept hiding your phone.
You would have kept seeing Thomas. Eventually, everything would have exploded anyway. She looked at me for a long moment. So, you think our marriage was already over? I think the marriage we had was over when you decided you wanted another one.
Her eyes filled again. I ruined everything. You made a choice. I was stupid. I'm not going to call you stupid.
Why not? Because you knew what you were doing. That hurt. I could see it. But I wasn't going to soften the truth just to make her feel better.
She took a deep breath. Are you seeing anyone? Not seriously. She nodded, then looked at me for a long moment. Would you ever consider us again?
No. The answer came immediately. Her face fell. I still love you, she said. I believe you, but that doesn't change my answer.
She looked down at her hands. I thought maybe there was still a chance. There isn't. She was quiet. I continued.
I don't want you waiting around for me or thinking that because I forgive you. We're getting back together. You need to rebuild your life, Alice. She nodded slowly. And you should rebuild yours.
I will. She picked up her purse and I walked her toward the entrance. Before opening the door, she turned to me. Peter, I'm really sorry. I believe you.
She hesitated. I wish I'd understood what I had before I lost it. I looked at her. So do I. She walked outside.
I watched her disappear down the sidewalk before turning back toward my office. I didn't feel victorious. There was nothing to celebrate. A marriage had ended. A woman I had loved for 15 years had hurt me.
And now she was finally beginning to understand the cost of her decision. But I wasn't going to make her pain my reward. I had already moved forward. Whether Alice could do the same was no longer my responsibility. A few days after Alice came to my office, I received one final call from Graham.
He asked if I was okay. I'm fine. You sure? Yes. He was quiet for a moment.
She told Sarah she doesn't expect you to take her back. That's good. She said she's going to start over. I nodded even though he couldn't see me. That's what she should do.
Graham sighed. You really don't want to hear anything else? No. Fair enough. We changed the subject and talked about work for a few minutes.
Before we hung up, he said something that stayed with me. you handled this differently than most people would. I just accepted the situation. Maybe, he paused. Or maybe you knew when to stop fighting for something that was already gone. I didn't answer because he was right.