Yes. You planned to stay at his house. You'd been talking to him for weeks. She lowered her eyes. Yes.
So, explain to me what part of this was an accident. She didn't answer. I waited. Finally, she whispered. I still had feelings for him.
I nodded once. That would have been useful information before we got married. I didn't know what they meant. You knew enough to hide them. Her face tightened.
I wasn't trying to hurt you. You don't have to intend the damage for it to happen. She wiped her eyes. Can we go to counseling? No, please.
No, Justin. I made one terrible mistake. I looked directly at her. One mistake doesn't explain weeks of conversations. She went silent.
I continued. And it doesn't explain why you chose to spend my birthday with him. I thought I needed to be there for him. You needed to be with him. She didn't deny it.
That told me everything. I stood up. I called an attorney this morning. Her face changed. You what?
A divorce attorney. You already did that? Yes, Justin. It's been less than 12 hours. You had weeks to think about Caleb.
I had one night to think about what you told me. She stood. You can't just end our marriage like this. I can file after everything we've built. You ended it when you chose him.
She shook her head. No, you don't mean that. I do. She stepped closer. I love you.
I looked at her for a long moment. Maybe you do. Her eyes filled again. But whatever you felt for me wasn't enough to stop you from doing this. She reached for my hand.
I pulled it away. I want you to stay somewhere else tonight. Justin, pack what you need. We'll deal with the rest through the attorney. She stared at me.
Where am I supposed to go? I don't know. She looked toward the window, then back at me. Caleb. I said nothing.
She understood the answer without me giving it. And for the first time since she'd come home, she looked genuinely afraid of what she'd done. Janice stayed with a friend that night. I didn't ask which one. By Monday morning, I was sitting across from Aaron Whitmore in his office, going through the documents I'd brought with me.
He explained the process, what would happen with the house, our accounts, and the things we'd purchased together. I listened carefully. There was no dramatic confrontation, no threats, just paperwork and decisions. Before I left, Aaron looked at me. Your wife may change her position once she realizes you're serious.
She already knows. Knowing and accepting are different things. I nodded. I understand. When I got home that afternoon, Janice was waiting outside.