And what I saw on his face wasn’t panic.
It wasn’t even guilt.
It was relief.
Like he had been waiting for this confrontation so he wouldn’t have to start it himself.
“Well,” he said, “I suppose there’s no point pretending anymore.”
“Pretending what?”
He shrugged.
“I guess it’s time to put everything on the table. I’m with Sheila now.”
I stared at him.
Then he added,
“Honestly, honey, what did you expect? I’m not attracted to you anymore.”
Somebody behind me whispered, “Oh my God.”
I could barely breathe.
“How dare you? I’m your wife.”
Carl shrugged again.
“Oh, come on. To me, you’ve been more like a housekeeper for years. I want to actually live for myself now.”
For one second, the whole room went still.
Then Sheila laughed.
Just once.
As though Carl had said something clever.
Something sharp.
Something she was supposed to appreciate.
I looked at him.
“Twenty-three years. Two children. And that’s all I was to you?”
That finally made him hesitate.
“That’s not exactly what I meant.”
“You literally just said it.”
