Sarah swallowed the words she had in her mouth. She lowered her head, trying to figure out if Charles’s mistake was not a matter of principle? Charles and Emma had kissed intimately. Maybe because she hadn't told the whole truth about Emma and Charles, Mr. Thomas didn’t feel that their actions were dangerous, but it wasn't acceptable for her because Charles is her husband.
Behind the back of her mind, she knew that Charles had betrayed her. Why should she forgive him? Should she accept his betrayal?
Not knowing how to respond to his persuasion to forgive Charles. She finally just sighed and said. “Dad, I know. I’ll talk to him after we get back home.”
Mr. Thomas felt relieved and patted her shoulder. “I have always treated you as my daughter, and you have never disappointed me. You're so sensible and wise. He is lucky to call you his wife.”
Sarah smiled shyly. Knowing that she had Mr. Thomas to support her, the house would be so cold anymore.
Both feeling better after they finished talking, they walked back home together. Sarah figured that whether Charles’s mistake was a matter of principle or not, Mr. Thomas indeed wanted them to succeed, and thus, rather than arguing with Charles again, she prepared to talk to him once she arrived home.
To her surprise, when she entered their room, Charles was watching TV and completely ignored her. In her usual calm tone, Sarah said. “Charles, I’m back.”
He didn't respond to her.
Sarah knew he was still angry, so she decided not to pressure him, instead went on to prepare her clothes before taking a shower.
Suddenly, Charles said coldly. “Mom told me that dad’s condition still isn't too good, and she hopes we can stay here longer. My schedule every day was hectic, so I won't be coming here every day. It’s very tiring. You stay here to look after my parents!”
Sarah felt disappointed in his decision. Charles had always been coming back home for her, no matter if it rained or snowed. Now he was saying that he wouldn’t come back? After their fight, what could she say? All she managed was to utter a surprised “Oh!”
He got up from the couch, readjusted his tie, and grabbed his suit jacket as if he was about to leave. Sarah asked him curiously. “What are you doing? It’s late already…Are you going out now?”
Charles did not look at her but looked in the mirror as he answered indifferently. “I'm going to catch the plane; there's a meeting tomorrow morning. I will go back tonight to not delay tomorrow’s work.”
Remembering that she had said she'd rather believe Daniel than him, Charles felt even more irritated, pulling his tie impatiently. Women are so difficult to satisfy, especially Sarah!
***
The following week passed without any type of contact between Charles and Sarah. Charles stayed in Houston, and Sarah was in Los Angeles, without exchanging a single phone call or text message.
At times Sarah couldn’t bear the loneliness. She wanted to call him, but every time she remembered how indifferent he had been before leaving, she put the phone back down. Why should she be the first to give in? She had been ready to humiliate herself and talk it through that day, but Charles didn't even give her a chance and just left.
Now it wasn't her problem anymore, he had to make the first move now. He apparently wanted to stay away from her, why should she be the one to give in first?
The nights were the hardest. Sarah found that she couldn’t fall asleep without him. After only such a short time of being married, she had gotten used to sleeping in his arms, which made her feel so safe and protected. Now that he had left, she couldn’t get used to being alone anymore. She didn’t know whether it was because she had changed as a person, or because Charles was so charming and she had fallen in love with him so deeply.
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