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he’s on the phone. Maybe he’ll choose me over work for once. I imagine his expression as he sees me wearing nothing but his tie and hope to see that mischievous smile that used to drive me wild. I slowly open the bathroom door and see his stressed reflection in the mirror, but he hasn’t noticed me yet. I flush with excitement, hoping to ease his tension with what I have planned for us.
    Just as quickly as my excitement built inside me, it’s deflated like a popped balloon from what Mike says next.
    “How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me? Stop texting me. We’re done. I don’t have it.” His voice is hushed and harsh. “Are you crazy? I have a wife. I have a family. You can’t expect that from me!”
    My heart stops.
    I swing open the door, forgetting that seconds ago I had hoped to give my husband a sexy surprise. I rip the tie off my neck and throw it at my husband just as he notices me with a regretful expression.
    He catches the tie and hangs up the phone immediately. “How long have you been standing there?”
    “Long enough,” I say flatly, standing naked in the dimly lit bathroom.
    “It’s not what you think.” Mike reaches for my arm in desperation.
    I pull away, grab a towel from the rack beside me, and cover myself before I can be humiliated even more than I’ve already been today.
    “What is it then, Mike? Because it sure sounds like I’ve been right all along.” I won’t let the tears fall from my eyes. I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I won’t let him think he can talk his way out of this one.
    Mike’s eyes meet mine and I try to ignore the regret and sincerity that seem to be there. “I want to make us work, Alexa. That’s what you heard. You heard me making sure that nothing gets in the way of showing you that I still love you.” His strong, masculine features crumble with remorse. “I can’t lose the boys or you.” He holds up his phone to me. “Here, call back the last number. You’ll see it was just a business call.”
    This time I let him pull me close to him. “I deserve more than this, Mike. I can’t keep doubting you this way. I deserve to be with someone who is faithful. I refuse to lose you and my dignity at the same time. If you don’t want to be with me, then stop fucking with my head and set me free.”
    He tilts my head up to meet his gaze. “I’ve made mistakes, Alexa, but they’re not all what you think. There are things I can’t tell you. Not now, anyway.” He presses a kiss on my forehead and closes his eyes. “I will make it better between us. That’s what I was doing. I want no one but you. I know that now.” He looks at me with such sadness, I can’t help but be crushed inside too.
    “Then tell me now,” I say coldly, pushing him away from me. “Are you cheating on me?”
    He sighs and runs his hand through his messy salt-and-peppered hair. “I’ve made mistakes that I’m not proud of.”
    My breath hitches and it’s as if I can see my entire heart shatter on the floor below me. Even though it’s what I’ve thought all along, hearing him finally admit it hurts far worse than I ever imagined.
    “I want you to say it.” I press him to say the words. I need the full truth.
    He looks down regretfully. “I’ve made mistakes, but I love you.”
    “Say. It,” I repeat coldly.
    His eyes met mine with shame. “Yes, I’ve cheated on you.” He tried to pull me to him. “I can’t lose you. I love you. It’s the stress of my job, and the late nights…my judgment hasn’t been what it should have been. You’re right—you don’t deserve this, but I can’t lose you.”
    My eyes freeze on his.
    Tears fall.
    Tongue-tied.
    He kisses my forehead and pulls me in tightly, whispering in my ear that he loves me and begs for my forgiveness.
    “It has to be over, Mike. You can’t keep doing this to me. I won’t stay with you if you keep doing this. I’ll take the boys and we’ll leave.”
    He takes me