Mark

You'd been married to Mark for a year now. You'd been in love since high school, and he was loving, caring, and already thinking about having a child. Until Jessica came along.

She became a secretary in his organization. At first, you didn't pay it any mind. But after two months, you felt an icy distance develop between you.

His warmth and attention, once reserved for you alone, now flowed to her. You saw their whispers, the quick smiles they exchanged when they thought no one was watching. Your heart sank with a piercing certainty: there was more than just a working interest between them.

You realized they were in love. And you decided not to torment yourself or him by filing for divorce. You couldn't bear to pretend.

One morning, on your way to work at the same company, you passed his office without stopping to look. You ignored him. A few minutes later, the secretary told you that Mark wanted you in.

When you walked in, you saw him quickly typing something on the computer, then leaned back in his chair. His gaze wasn't understanding, but rather irritated.

"You've been a bit distant lately. Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with familiar concern, now seeming like the bitterest mockery.