The Journey - Part 8

Chapter 81

I had a soak in the bath, while Ben took the girls swimming.  My long black hair piled on top of my head to escape the decadent bubbles.  My mind had never been so clear in my entire life.  There would be no question of who would live in the house, it belonged to me; left to me in my parents will – David would have to move out.  Lance would stay with me, as he was mine too.  I worked out the practicalities with ease, as the hot water worked the kinks out of my aching body.  Now came the hard part, I thought bitterly, now I have to tell David.2

~*~3

When I walked down the stairs, I was overcome with a sense of dread.  My hand stalled on the living room door, knowing with an uncanny sense that David was on the other side.  I bit my lip, taking a deep breath.  I pushed the door open and was surprised to find him sat there on the sofa cradling a cup of coffee.  He looked up at me with bloodshot eyes.4

“Aly Thank God you’re alright.”  He said his voice husky with emotion.  I felt a twinge of guilt, but dismissed it, sitting down in the chair opposite him.5

“I’m fine David.  What are you doing here?”  I said, with an edge to my voice.  He frowned as if the words had wounded him in some way.6

“What am I doing here!? Bloody Hell Aly! You walk distraught out of my office and then disappear for almost a day, and you wonder what I am doing here!! I was worried about you!”  He said in angry tones.  I took a deep breath.7

“You noticed I was distraught yesterday then.  I thought you didn’t notice anything, apart from the blond in your office.”  I bit my lip as the words came tumbling out.  David’s cheeks coloured.8

“How long have you known?” And my eyes widened in surprise.  I had clung to the idea of his having an affair as a reason for his behaviour.  I didn’t think for one moment that I could be right about it.  I felt angry tears fill my eyes.9

“I didn’t know, but you’ve just told me.  If you were having an affair why did you propose to me?”  I asked him fighting the bitter tears burning in my eyes.10

He looked at me, his eyes shifting like a trapped animal.11

“I don’t know? I thought maybe I owed it to you, after all we’ve been together for two years now.”  I felt my heart stop in my chest for a moment.12

“You felt like you owed it to me? What kind of answer is that? Where’s the Love David?” He frowned.13

“Of course I bloody love you Aly, what a stupid statement.  I wouldn’t come traipsing halfway across the country to find you if I didn’t care about you.”  He said in an indignant voice.14

I looked down at the ring glinting on my finger, remembering the moment he had given it to me.  God I’d been so happy, but now it was spoiled, worthless.  I took it off my finger, taking a last look at its perfect symmetry.  I got to my feet.15

“I’d appreciate it if you would move your belongings out over the weekend, so when I return home on Monday, there’s nothing to say you ever lived there.”  I placed the ring on the arm of the sofa, taking a last look at the shock on David’s face.16

“Aly please!”  He whined; I shook my head.17

“What do you expect David, you made your bed and you slept in it. Now live with the consequences. Goodbye.”  I said quietly, my façade finally cracking.  I closed the door behind me tightly; I didn’t want him to see how deeply his betrayal had hurt me.  I waited until I was in the safety of the guest room before I finally allowed myself to cry.18