I felt something inside me drop. That's it. Yes. I took a step back. You're sure.
She started crying. Yes. I looked at her for several seconds. Then I asked the question I already knew I needed to ask. Did you sleep with him?
Marie covered her face with both hands. I waited. She didn't answer. Marie. She lowered her hands.
Yes. One word. That's all it took. I looked toward the window. 3 weeks.
3 weeks until our wedding. The venue was booked. Our families were expecting us to get married. We had spent months planning our future. And she had gone to a nightclub with our friends while I stayed home because I trusted her.
Now she was sitting in front of me telling me she had slept with another man. She reached for my hand. Walter, please. I pulled my hand away. Don't.
It was one night. I looked at her. One night was enough. She started crying harder. I was drunk.
You knew you were engaged. I made a mistake. I nodded slowly. Then I walked out of the bedroom. I already knew what I was going to do.
I went downstairs and sat at the kitchen table. Marie followed me a minute later. She was crying, but I didn't feel angry enough to yell. That surprised me. I thought I would scream.
Instead, I felt strangely calm. She stood across from me. Walter, please talk to me. I am talking to you. Then don't do this.
Do what? Throw everything away. I looked at her. You threw something away last night. She shook her head.
It didn't mean anything. That doesn't make it better. It was one night, I know. Then why are you acting like I had an affair for years? Because I don't need years to know you broke my trust.
She sat down across from me. I was drunk. You were drunk when you kissed him? She nodded. And when you went somewhere private with him?
She looked down. I don't remember everything, but you remember enough to tell me you slept with him? She didn't answer. I leaned back in my chair. Did you think about me at any point?
Of course I did. When? She started crying again. I don't know. That answer told me more than anything else could have.
I stood up. Where are you going? To make some calls. What calls? The wedding.
Her face changed. Walter. No. I took my phone from the counter. Yes.
She walked toward me. Please don't cancel it today. I'm canceling it today. You need time to think. I've already thought about it.
We can go to counseling. No. We can fix this. No. Please.
I looked directly at her. Marie, I'm not canceling the wedding because I'm angry. Then why? Because I can't stand in front of our families and promise to spend the rest of my life with someone I don't trust. She wiped her face.