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?