Then why? Because I still feel guilty. I looked at her. That's something you have to deal with. She nodded.
Jack is completely gone. I didn't respond. I haven't spoken to him in months. Okay. I thought he was going to be there for me.
You took that risk. I know. She looked at me. I lost everything for him. I shook my head.
No. She frowned. What? You didn't lose everything for Jack. She waited.
You lost your marriage because you cheated. Her eyes filled with tears. Jack was just the person you cheated with. She nodded slowly. I understand that now.
For a few seconds, we stood in silence. Then she asked, "Do you hate me?" "No." "Do you forgive me?" "Yes."
She looked surprised. "You do?" "Yes." "Then why couldn't you take me back?" "Because forgiveness and trust aren't the same thing."
She looked away. I wish I understood that before. So do I. She took a breath. Do you ever miss us?
I thought about it. I miss parts of my old life. Her eyes lifted. But I don't miss the marriage. That hurt her.
I could see it. But I wasn't trying to hurt her. I was telling her the truth. She nodded. Are you happy?
Yes. Really? Really? She smiled sadly. I'm glad.
I looked through the restaurant window. Claire was waiting for me. I should go. Wanda nodded. Of course.
I started walking back toward the door. Then she called my name. Billy. I turned. Thank you.
For what? For loving me when I didn't deserve it. I didn't know what to say, so I simply nodded. Then I walked back inside. Claire looked at me.
"You okay?" "Yeah." She reached for my hand. I took it. As we left the restaurant, I looked back through the window once.
Wanda was still standing outside. 10 years ago, I would have turned around. I would have gone back. I would have tried to fix everything. But that man was gone.
I had spent too long believing love meant staying no matter what. Now I understood something different. Love could be real and still not be enough. Trust could be broken beyond repair. And sometimes walking away wasn't giving up.