Talk to her after work

Your mind raced all day, what could they be doing to her at that job that had her so upset, and what was she so sorry about? After you got home hour after anxious hour passed and finally she came home and seemed stunned to see you still awake.

"Burt?" she asked, her eyes were red and her eye makeup was smudged.

"What's wrong Whit?" you asked, "you've been crying on your way home from work and I know something is bothering you."

"It's," she paused, "I don't want to do this tonight."

"Come on Whit," you said taking her hands in yours, "if its the job or your boss, even a coworker you can switch jobs I just know you're not happy."

She had tears welling in her eyes but turned towards the bathroom, "I really dont want to do this right now," she said.

"Whitney," you pleaded as she pulled away from you.

She went down the hall to the bathroom and you stood dejected.

"Is it me?" you asked.

She paised and started to sob.

"It's not you," she said turning back towards you, "you're amazing," she looked like she was going to be sick, "I'm having an affair with my boss."

The words didn't make sense, this was Whitney, your wife, your best friend, she wouldn't, she couldn't.

"I am so sorry Burt," she said.

You were numb, you and Whitney had been together for over a decade, married for five years.

"Burt," she pleaded, "say something."

"How long?"

"Three months."

"Was he the first?"

"Yes."

She moved towards you but you involuntarily recoiled from her touch. You turned and walked towards the door as Whitney sobbed, "please don't go."

"I can't be here tonight," you said, "I can't sleep in our bed."

"Burt," she pleaded as you left.

You went and got a hotel room, maybe in the morning you'd be able to move forward but you couldn't tonight.

It was a restless night, you thought about Whitney and her boss, he was old, he was a prick but here you were the one getting hurt. The next morning you drove back to the apartment and found it empty, Whitney had clearly packed up a bunch of her stuff and there was a note on the bed.

Dear Burt,

I understand you're hurting and I want to give you space. I'll be at my mother's until you're ready to talk. I'm willing to do anything to earn your love and trust back, I just hope you can forgive me.

All of my love,

Your Whitney

You left the note and looked around the empty apartment, she wasn't here but she was everywhere and as you looked over pictures that were prominently displayed, your wedding, your honeymoon, holidays, your stomach turned as what she'd done to you.