hosts, passing each other in the hallways with brief nods. I cooked her favorite meals; she ate them without comment. I tried to start conversations about our day, abo

ith a gentle pity that was almost worse than scorn. The Apex Tower project was on hold, pending an "internal rev

d. I stepped inside and heard voices from the living room. Sa

erfectly at home. Sarah was sitting across from him, a peaceful smile on her face. They weren't

her voice smooth.

ith a deceptive innocence in his face that didn't match his predatory gaze. He was wearing

nued, as if this were the most normal thing in th

enched. "The agreement, Sara

gned confusion. "The agreement was about us. It didn't

I bit out, the word

y. "Your attachment to physical labels is the source of

aw the look on Sarah's face-a cool, distant warning. If I made a scene, I would be the one breaking th

e," I said, my vo

"When we're finished

rituality. The irony was so thick I could barely breathe. I turned without another word and went upstairs, th

ached me while I was trying

in the doorway. "This house is full of st

chest. Was this her trying? Wa

. "Where did you have in mind? We c

t near Mount Rainier. Very peaceful. It woul

ile touching my lips for the first time i

nged for a private guide for a scenic hike. I imagined us walking through the pines, the crisp mou

to leave, I was packing a bag wh

re was a booking issue. They had t

rying to stay positive. "That's

es. "The room only has one bed. I know how much you valu

s fine. I d

tain amount of personal space to be effective. And honestly, y

"So what are

ustic cabin nearby. It's very affordable. He's offered to drive up as well, and he can stay there. That way, I can have my ow

esting we go on a romantic mountain getaway, with her lover staying in a separate cabin with her, while I

, the word f

," she sighed. "It's the

ot to come at all! This was supposed

e. But I also need to respect my own needs. Mark understand

was the controlling husband. If I agreed, I was sanctioning my own cuckoldry. The

he word tasting like defeat.

a winner. "Thank you for being so understandin

. The mountain trip wasn't going to