The argument stirs in my chest, but she’s right in a way and I know I can prove to her that we’re going to be fine. I just need time. “I’ll go now, but I’m coming back when I fix things.”

“That’s what you do, isn’t it? You fix things?” A sarcastic, sad laugh accompanies her comment.

Fixer. That’s what they call this job, but really I’m supposed to prevent anything from breaking. There’s another small huff of a laugh that leaves her, but it’s not the joyous sound I’ve grown to love so much. It’s because of me. I’m the one who broke our marriage.

“I know we grew apart, but we’re still together. Even if you want to pretend like we’re not for a little while,” I tell her. Climbing off the bed, I take a step to go to her, but she shakes her head slightly, crossing her arms and taking a step back.

“It was only one last time, Evan.”

My mouth falls open just slightly for me to tell her last night wasn’t the last time. I won’t let it be. But the words don’t come out. There’s no conviction in that thought.

My eyes close as the phone in my hand buzzes again and I don’t miss how Kat looks at it, a question in her eyes.

“It’s James.” I answer her unspoken question

She chews the inside of her cheek and doesn’t acknowledge me in the least.

“I quit and I’ve just got to sign some paperwork.” The lie slips out so easily. I’m almost ashamed at how easy it’s become to hide the truth from her and disguise it as something normal and relatable.

I don’t know if she can tell I’m lying, or if she just doesn’t care anymore. She leaves me alone with nothing but a small nod in the bedroom we built together.

My blood turns cold and I stare at the open door. The pictures from the hall taunt me. I still hear the laughter. I remember the softness of her skin when they were taken.

The phone goes off again and it pisses me off.

I grit my teeth as I read the messages.

Get here in the next hour.

Out of spite, there’s no fucking way I’ll be at his office by then. I make sure to hit the message so he knows I read it. He can wait.

Kat

It’s supposed to hurt this much. I remind myself of that over and over again.

That’s what a breakup is. It’s pain. It’s removing someone you once loved from your life. Erasing them as if they don’t exist. As if they’ve died. And that’s the most painful thing one can experience.