The "I" in this section is Alice, whose husband (Ron) had only the previous night told her that he was setting up home with Eric's wife (Elise). On hearing Ron's announcement, Eric had fled the scene. Alice had wanted Eric and they had sex-texted each other and had phone sex. It helped both to sublimate their passion.
Elise was pissed with Eric because he had texted loving messages to Alice from their home and after they had made love. Eric was pissed with both Ron and Elise. Eric finally got back to the Aphrodite Camp site just after breakfast. Paul (the official camcorder of the 4 people's Aphrodite Way walk) was there to record his return.
Eric never said a word, but just went into the 4 person, 2 bedroom tent. The bedroom he shared with his wife now contained Ron's clothes. He went into the bedroom that Ron was supposed to sleep in to see his clothes.
Alice then went into the tent.
THE STORY CONCLUDES (FROM ALICE'S VIEWPOINT)
I suppose I should have been upset, but I was more relieved than angry. The other 3 had decided to complete the Aphrodite Way walk. But I said that I would remain at the camp in case Eric returned.
Eric said "Didn't take Elise a long time to set up home with Ron. I suppose they were fucking like rabbits all night."
I replied "If they did make love then I didn't hear them. And I was awake most of the night. Paul is going to record them having sex outdoors in a wood as the sun sets. It sounded so romantic."
Eric said "Ron fucking my wife while Paul films it isn't at all romantic. Its obscene."
RESPECTIVE DIVORCES
I said "I have agreed to give my husband an uncontested divorce. Elise wants you to do the same. Even if you don't agree to a divorce you have lost your wife. They will live in sin.
They plan to marry soon after the respective divorces.
Elise knows that you like to listen to Ron and I having sex. Ron and Elise knew about the sexting and phone sex as well."
Eric looked angry. I thought he was about to run away again.
He asked "Why did you tell them? It was supposed to be private between us."
I replied "It felt right. I wanted to clear the air. I think maybe I wanted to confess so they knew that I love you as much as Ron loves your wife."
Eric said "Hell will freeze over before I give Elise a divorce."
I said "Divorce doesn't work that way. You can only delay it. They are going to set up home together whatever you may want. That's mainly why I agreed to a divorce.
Why go for a contested divorce and give lawyers a chance to make money? They will make us argue unnecessarily so they can bump up their fees. I want the quickest and cheapest way to end my marriage."
I rammed home my point by saying "And would you want to make problems if Elise is carrying Ron's baby? He's still fertile and randy and they are in love.
That would make you a laughing stock. Everyone would know that you are a cuckold. And that an older man is fucking your wife, in your house and in your bed. And you will be paying your hard earned cash to pay for the mortgage on the house and money to the woman who shares her wares with Ron?"
Eric said "It seems climate change is affecting hell. Okay I'll be reasonable. Better to pull the plug and let the whole soggy mess swirl down the drain."
EXPLANATION
I said "I'd like an explanation why you ran away and left me alone with Ron and Elise."
Eric said "I never expected Ron to boldly tell me his was going to set up home with my wife. I ran away because I wanted to smash the conniving bastard's face into a pulp. But it wouldn't have been moral for me to fight a much older man. I felt like it. It was literally fight or flight. Me choosing the flight option gave me time to think.