Chapter 3

Gabrielle' s eyes widened in panic. "No. Matthew, wait."

Wesley, however, looked relieved. He put a comforting arm around her, whispering something in her ear. He was probably telling her it was for the best, that now they could finally be together without me in the way. He played the part of the sensitive, caring man perfectly.

"You're a good person, Gabby," he said, loud enough for me to hear. "You just wanted to be happy. He was never here. He doesn't understand the sacrifice you made, holding down the fort all alone."

Sacrifice? I almost choked. She hadn't worked a day in our entire marriage. Her only job was to spend the money I earned.

Gabrielle nodded, soaking up his words like a sponge. She looked at me, her eyes hardening again, convinced of her own victimhood.

"He's right," she said. "You were never here. You chose that job over me."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The sheer, unadulterated delusion. There was no getting through to her. Talking to her was like talking to a brick wall. A very manipulative, self-pitying brick wall.

My mind was made up. The love I had for her had curdled into something cold and hard.

"I'll have my lawyer send you the papers," I said, turning to leave.

The reality of the word "divorce" finally hit her. The fantasy Wesley was selling her couldn't pay the bills.

"Matthew, wait!" she cried, her voice filled with real fear now. "We can talk about this!"

I didn't stop. I walked out of that apartment and didn't look back. The air outside felt cleaner, fresher. It was the first breath of a new life, a life without her. I was done.