As I stepped out of my apartment, leaving Daniel, I felt as though I was leaving my old life behind. I couldn’t help but be disturbed by the finality of the click of our door behind us.
I almost turned and raced back inside, back to the familiarity of my home, but Ethan wrapped an arm around me before I could bolt.
I knew I needed to do this, but it wasn’t easy.
Guilt roiled through me as I found comfort leaning against Ethan. Daniel had made me feel so guilty for leaving, but I didn’t have the strength to take care of myself right now, and it was wearing on Daniel to deal with this situation.
As we walked down the hall, I wondered if the distance would bring us closer together or send our relationship spiraling apart.
The constant reminder of my affair with Ethan had made Daniel bitter. I could see it in every line of his face, hear it in his tone of voice, and spot it in the way he carried himself.
When he’d asked me about the baby in the hospital, I could tell he hadn’t wanted to know. He was being polite. After years of marriage, I knew Daniel.
Ethan kissed the top of my head. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said keeping my eyes trained on the worn carpet underneath my feet.
“Did he say something to upset you?”
We reached the elevator, but I still couldn’t bring myself to look at him. “No.”
He poked at the elevator button. “Doesn’t seem that way.”
I couldn’t deal with this badgering right now. I was desperately trying to keep my blood pressure under control and the stress of the move was wearing on me. “Ethan, please, this is difficult enough.”
The doors slid open, and Ethan guided me inside. “I know it is, Livvie, and I’m sorry. I wish this was easier. I will do everything I can to make it easier, okay?”
“Then, please stop asking about Daniel,” I said, feeling guilty for saying it.
I wasn’t sure if it was pregnancy hormones, the general situation, or something else that was making me feel so confused right now, but I could barely hold myself together.
