The news Ryan got that day shocked and amazed him. Having known Bill for over twenty years and having worked so closely with him he trusted him implicitly. There could be no possible reason for him to lie.
He left the office on time for the first time in nearly a year. With the new contract coming due his life had totally focused all his attention on the contract renewal.
He actually beat his wife Claudia home and was waiting in the kitchen when she walked in with a big smile on her face, "Hey honey, how come you're home so early?"
They had the house to themselves, the twins were off at camp so they weren't going to be interrupted or worry about what was said.
She walked over to give him the usual welcome home kiss but his demeanour was icy cool, his face taut, he turned his head away causing her to give him a quizzical confused glare, "What's the matter?"
"How long Di..." Di being his pet name for her.
She grimaced understanding his question immediately, "I see, who told you?"
"It doesn't matter who or how, I just want the truth."
Leaning back against the shiny quartz counter top her hands gripping tightly, "A month or so." Her eyes never deviated, she stared determinedly, her gaze never moving, her cold eyes stared deeply into his bare soul.
"Is that it...is that all you have to say?"
"Well it is the question you asked, did you want more information."
"How could you...after all these years...for the love of god why?"
"Oh don't be so melodramatic, it's not like I killed someone."
"You're having an affair for god's sake, you're having sex with another man."
She turned away as if nothing had happened, "What do you want for dinner?"
Grabbing her arm he spun her around to face him, "I asked you a question...why?"
She gave an angry glowering stare, "Don't you ever touch me like that again do you understand... You want to know why, let me tell you why. You're never here, you work fifteen hours a day, you ignore me all the time, it's like I don't even exist. We haven't made love for weeks and that's been going on for over a year. I'm still young Ryan, I have needs. Jesus what did you think was going to happen?"
With his voice dripping sarcasm he hissed, "I work hard for us, so we can get all the things we talked about, so the kids can have a good life, the things we never had as kids. As for not being here I'm exhausted, bloody hell woman I'm working for us."
"Bullshit you do it for yourself, you're so tied up in that damn job everything else gets pushed to the back. When was the last time you went to a sports day with the twins? When was the last time you went to parent teacher night?"
Sighing deeply and sucking in a deep breath he said coldly, "You are the one who wanted the new car...the flash house."
"Like hell that was all you, it's the way it is with you, it always has to be the best, the newest, the brightest."
"So you think that gives you the right to cheat?"
Shrugging she muttered, "No probably not, but I got sick of masturbating, I got sick of doing everything for myself. Now what do you want for dinner."
"Fuck dinner." he snapped, "I want to talk about this right now."
"What...you want details, is that it? You want to hear about what we do?"
"No you bitch I want to know why didn't you talk to me? Why run off and fuck some other bloke?"
Sighing she grimaced, "You know Ryan I reckon I tried to talk to you just about every night but you were always to tired, to busy or just plain not interested. Why did I go elsewhere? Because it was easier than booking a meeting with you."
Staring at her he snarled, "Was it good, was it worth the end of our marriage?"
She grinned menacingly, "You know what, it probably was, he wasn't great but at least it was sex, at least he found me attractive, and at least he wanted me which is more than I can say for you."
Shocked by her derisive disregard, he barked, "It's over, I'm not being disrespected like that, you can keep him but it is not happening while we are still married, I am filing for divorce in the morning."
She nodded, "Fine, do what you want." She walked over and pulled out a pan turning the element on to heat.
Confused he snorted, "Don't you care? I said I am filing for divorce."
Turning back to face him she whispered breathlessly. "I heard you the first time. Ryan, I love you, I always have but I hate this work addicted machine you have become. If you think the only solution is divorce then you just go ahead and do it."
"You haven't even given me an option, you didn't even say sorry." He mumbled.
"That's because I'm not sorry, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, maybe that's the mistake I made. Ryan you have been absent from this marriage for two years and I tried damn it, I did all the things I was supposed to do, racy lingerie, massage, dressing sexy but you were oblivious to it all."
"But you never said anything to me, you never gave me a chance."
"Bullshit, think about it how often did I walk into your office dressed in nothing and beg you to come to bed, to make love to me. Don't tell me I didn't give you a chance."
"Working hard for your family isn't a crime."
"Maybe not but ignoring your wife is and you paid the price. Now after finding out the first words out of your mouth are I want a divorce.... Well if that's what you want, you've got it. I must say I expected better but if that's it at least I can say I tried which is more than you."
Ryan stumbled out of the kitchen wondering what just happened?" He was in the right, she cheated...how come he felt like the bad guy?"
Claudia searched through the fridge and found the chicken, dicing it up she threw it in the pan as she muttered, 'SHIT, SHIT, SHIT.' To herself, damn it. Still what did she expect?
Ryan collapsed in the lounge stunned wondering what to do? Was she right? Was this his fault? Yes he worked long hours but he was so close to making partner and all the benefits that came with that.
Claudia called out, "Dinners ready."
He wandered out his mind blank running on auto pilot. The food as always was delicious. She was a marvellous cook and an incredible mother, she doted on the twins, the house was always spotless even holding down a part time job. He stared across at her beautiful fine featured face, damn it she's still beautiful. The thought jolted him, Christ how long had it been since he noticed that, she had her hair styled differently and she did look sexy and attractive. Was that for him or her lover?
He commented, "Your hair looks nice...new style?
She snorted, "Yes it was new three weeks ago when I had it done."
Flinching he mumbled, "Hmm well it looks nice, did it for him did you?"
"No dipshit....I did it for you, remember the night I walked into the den leaning on the door frame wearing nothing but my stockings and suspenders...do you remember that?"
His face flushed bright red he did remember but she walked in just when he was about to finalise the report and he was so close. He remembered it well but two hours later when he went to bed she was asleep and the lingerie was gone.
How could she be so calm? She didn't seem to have any idea of how angry he was, did she even have a conscience? He glared at her and her face appeared emotionless, no remorse, did she regret it?"
He spat caustically, "I hate you Di, you've killed our marriage."
Shaking her head she replied after sipping her wine, "No you don't, you don't hate me. You hate the fact that people are going to find out and you will be laughed at. When I tell them I took a lover because my husband couldn't satisfy me...That's what you hate."
He swallowed his wine in one gulp and poured another as she held out her glass for a refill.
Damn she looked so sexy tonight, he let his eyes drink in her beauty wondering if this might be the last time they sit like this. "Don't you care Claudia, are you just going to sit there?"
"Ryan" she whispered almost inaudibly, "Of course I care, I hoped that when you found out you might put up a fight, I hoped you would be man enough to say I love you and try to win me back, not run away. No your first thought is divorce."
"You thought I would put up with you having a lover?"
"No I hoped you would throw me on the table, ravage me and make me forget I ever wanted a lover, but I suppose that's an option we should consider. You could focus on work and I could keep my lover...yes maybe that would be the best, you can do all the work and he can have the cream."
"LIKE HELL" Ryan screamed, "I'm not being made a fool of in my own home."
With a mocking tone she growled, "Oh for heaven's sake, we always go to a hotel."
"Jesus you're a cold bitch."
"Tut, tut dear, no need for name calling. If we made love just once a week...that's all I want, more would be nice but at least once a week. Do that for me and I wouldn't need that hotel."
"What you expect me to just forgive and forget...pretend it didn't happen."
"Oh no, no, no I want you to remember, you can use it as inspiration so you don't go back to your old ways."
Shaking his head in disbelief he put his head down on his arms so she couldn't see the tears forming, "I never realised what a bitch you could be. If I knew there was this side of you I would never have married you. Jesus you're killing me and you don't even care."
Sipping her wine she muttered, "Oh I care Ryan believe me I care. To go back on my wedding vows was a big decision, I didn't do that easily but I need love, affection, intimacy and sex god damn it I need sex."
She topped up their glasses she stood to clean up leaving Ryan to contemplate the new state of affairs. The kitchen was clean and the dishes done when she walked through to the living room, he remained head on his arms and she though she heard him sniffling, "I'm going to bed, if you want to join me we could make love."
He sat up with a start, "What, if you think I want anything to do with your slutty arse you're mistaken."
Ignoring his hurtful name calling she rubbed his shoulders, "See that's what I mean, we could spend the night making love and I would never have to go elsewhere, think about it this way, one final night of passion before we go our separate ways."
