And now he keeps saying he'll pay me back. Has he? No. I shook my head. She continued before I could say anything.
He's changed, too. How? He drinks more. He gets angry. He doesn't like when I question him about money.
Last week, he told me I should be grateful he gave me a new life. I stared at the wall. You wanted a new life. I know. You told me he was your real love.
I know what I said. Then what do you want from me? Her voice became quieter. I don't know. Then figure it out.
Samuel, I'm miserable. I paused. There was a time when hearing those words would have made me want to rescue her. That time was gone. You need to deal with the life you chose.
I thought you'd understand. I understand perfectly. She started crying. I made a mistake. You made a decision.
Isn't that the same thing? No. She went silent. A mistake is taking the wrong exit and turning around. I said, "You signed divorce papers.
You moved to another city. You moved in with another man. You built a life around him. " I know. Then live with the consequences.
She didn't respond. I ended the call. After that, I heard nothing for months. I later learned through a mutual friend that Nicole had moved out of Trevor's apartment. She had found another place in New Orleans and was working longer hours.
Trevor apparently disappeared whenever she asked about the money. Then he stopped answering her completely. I didn't celebrate. I didn't feel sorry for her either. She had made her choice.
I kept making mine. A year passed, then another. During those two years, my life changed in ways I hadn't expected. I sold the old house and bought a smaller place outside the city. I started dating again.
Eventually, I met someone named Clare. She didn't know Nicole. She didn't know the details of my divorce until I told her. More importantly, she never made me feel like I had to prove my worth. By the time two years had passed since Nicole left, I was no longer thinking about my marriage.
I thought it was finally behind me. Then, one Saturday evening, someone knocked on my front door. I opened it. Nicole was standing there. She looked exhausted and the first thing she said was, "Samuel, please don't close the door.
" I kept my hand on the door. Nicole stood on the porch with a small overnight bag beside her. She looked nothing like the woman who had left me two years earlier. Back then, she had walked away believing she had found the man she was meant to be with. Now she looked like someone who had spent two years trying to undo a decision she couldn't take back.
"What are you doing here? " I asked. "I needed to see you. You could have called. I did.
I didn't answer. I know. I looked at the bag. Are you staying somewhere? Yes.
Then you should go there. Her eyes filled with tears. Please, Samuel. I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. I don't want you standing at my front door.