Lea’s Transformation: Chapter Seven

Abstract:

7th of 12 Chapters. Lea and Michael are out to dinner. She tells him about Tori and wanting to be with her. Michael is devastated, but doesn't want Lea to leave him.

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Lea sat across from Michael in the elegant and posh Italian restaurant they frequent regularly. The air smelled of garlic and red wine, but it did nothing to warm the chill between them. Michael just arrived another endless business trip, and tonight was supposed to be their attempt at normalcy—a dinner out, just the two of them, like the old days before his successful business swallowed their life whole. But Lea could barely **** a smile. Her fork pushed the remnants of her pasta around the plate, her mind miles away, tangled in sheets and confessions with Tori.

Michael noticed, of course. He always did, even when he pretended not to. His eyes, usually sharply business-minded, softened with that familiar worry. "You okay, babe? You've been quiet all night. What's going on?"

Lea set her fork down, her stomach twisting. The main course was done, plates cleared except for the half-eaten tiramisu. She couldn't keep doing this, sitting here, pretending the guilt wasn't eating her alive. Tori's face flashed in her mind: those strong hands on her skin, the way she'd sobbed in Lea's arms, begging not to have her heart broken. Lea had promised she wouldn't, but here she was, still married, still lying by omission. "Michael, I need to tell you something."

He leaned forward, brow furrowing. "What's that my love."

She took a breath, the words sticking like dry bread. "I'm having an affair."

The color drained from Michael's face. He froze, fork midway to his mouth, as if someone had hit pause on his entire world. His shoulders slumped, all the executive posture evaporating. "What? Lea, you're... Jesus." He set the fork down carefully, like it might shatter. Shock hung in the air, thick and suffocating. He looked smaller suddenly, like the life had been siphoned out of him, leaving just a shell of the man who'd swept her off her feet years ago.

"I'm sorry," Lea whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmur of other diners. Guilt clawed at her chest, sharp and unrelenting. Michael had been good to her, stable, loving in his distracted way. But his trips, the empty house, the loneliness... it had all led her to the gym, to Tori's intense gaze and capable touch.

Michael rubbed his face, eyes glazing over. "This is my fault. I know it is. I've been gone too much, chasing success, recognition, building my brand. I should've seen it coming. Fuck, Lea, I thought we were okay." His voice cracked, self-blame twisting his features. He wasn't yelling, wasn't accusing, just crumbling, which made it worse. "How long has it been going on?"

"Several months." Lea met his eyes, steady despite the storm inside her. "I waited because... I wasn't sure. About any of it. About us, about her."

"Her?" Michael's head snapped up, confusion sharpening his tone. "Wait, how long -"

"I love her Michael. Yes." The admission hung there, raw and final. She watched him process it, the numbness settling in like fog. His mouth opened, closed, no words coming out. A woman. Not some guy. "Who is she? Do I know her?" Michael said. "Her name is Tori. We met at the gym" Lea said softly. "She's my personal trainer - and lover."

He stared at his wine glass, swirling the deep red liquid without drinking. "Do you still love me?"

"Yes," Lea said, and she meant it. The affection was there, worn and familiar, like an old sweater. But it paled next to the fire Tori ignited. "I do. But it's not... it's not as strong. Not like what I feel for her."

Michael nodded slowly, numbly, like he was hearing someone else's life unravel. "Do you want a divorce?"

Lea hesitated, the question she'd been dodging in her own head. "I don't know. I need time to figure it out."

Michael, his eyes swelling with tears, said "Lea, I love you. I don't want you to leave me. It will kill me if you do. I travel the world, sleeping in hotel rooms alone. I can't come home to an empty house, to an empty bed. Please, don't do this to me."

Michael continued, "you can still have your relationship with Tori, but please be there for me when I get home. Please consider this for me."

Michael paid the bill in silence, the drive home a blur of streetlights and unspoken regrets. When they got to the house, Michael retreated to the bar, then the living room, and sat on the sofa, with a double scotch in his hand. Lea followed, sitting in a nearby easy chair. "I need time and space to think about this Michael," Lea said. "I'll stay home with you tonight, but I'm sleeping alone in the guest room. We can speak more about this in the morning."

Lea grabbed her pajamas from the master bedroom, went to the guest room and closed the door. She texted Tori: *Told Michael about us, I'm in love with you, and want to be with you all the time. I'm sleeping alone in the guest room tonight and we'll speak more in the morning. See you at the gym. I love you.*