TC 6

EP6. ◇ Formality and True Intentions

I had no intention of divorcing.

I would continue to cherish my wife and children, my family.
But I would not part with Erika either.

> “I asked my wife to accept that I would go on seeing Erika just as before.”

My wife’s eyes widened in shock. She froze, seemingly turning her mind at full speed to find her next move, and for a while she said nothing.

Then she said, “Please give me some time to think.”

A few days later, my wife did something I had not expected.

> “Her pride set aside, she bowed her head and asked me to break up with Erika—for the sake of a better future together.”

When I told her how lonely I had felt because she had been cold and unresponsive for so long,
she admitted her fault and sincerely apologized.

And then, she confessed:

> “Of course, I always had love for you as family, but I had lost the romantic feelings I once had, and that’s why I treated you coldly.
But when I learned you were close with another woman, I realized how important you are to me—how much I still long for you.”

Hearing such repentance and apology from her, I couldn’t bring myself to be so cold and arrogant as to refuse.
So I told my wife that I had spoken with Erika and ended the affair amicably.

But that was only the official story.
> “In reality, my actions were different.”

By the time my wife pleaded with me, I had already been deeply captivated by Erika.
> “It wasn’t a situation where I could simply say, ‘Alright, I’ll stop seeing her from tomorrow, I’ll quit this affair.’”