“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because she’ll make everything worse.”

My stomach dropped.

“You mean she’ll tell me the truth.”

For the first time, Caleb looked genuinely afraid.

He leaned against the washing machine.

“Her name is Mara.”

I had never heard that name before.

“Who is she?”

“Someone from work.”

I suddenly felt sick.

“Are you having an affair?”

He didn’t answer.

“Caleb.”

Finally, he said:

“It started before the baby was born.”

My legs weakened.

I grabbed the back of a chair.

“How long before?”

“A few months.”

“A few months?”

“It wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Things don’t accidentally continue for months.”

“I know.”

“No. Stop saying that.”

My voice cracked.

He moved toward me.

I lifted my hand.

“Stay where you are.”

He stopped.

“Is it over?”

His eyes dropped.

“No.”

His mother’s words echoed through my mind.

You told me it was over.