WARNING: This story features scenes of pervasive misogyny, coercion, reluctance, and outright forced sexual acts. It is a work of pure fantasy and does not reflect any real people or events.
"There's no forgiving this. I'm done."
Michael could feel the tears welling in his eyes, but willed himself to maintain eye contact with his wife. He doubted she'd ever seen him cry before. He'd always been so conscious of presenting a strong and stoic demeanor. A real, masculine man wrought from granite. Now, Michael could care less what Robyn thought of him. Let her see the hurt she'd caused him on full display.
"Please, Michael. I love you. I was drunk and stupid. It'll never happen again. I'm sorry."
Robyn moved from beside him on the bed and actually dropped to her knees. Tears flowed freely from her eyes and down her cheeks, but then she'd always been prone to overt displays of emotions. Michael had learned from fifteen years of marriage that crying was more a tool of intentional manipulation than an organic show of emotion. A lever by which she'd often moved her husband in whichever direction she'd wanted their discussions to go. Not this time.
"Drunk and stupid is throwing up in an Uber. Drunk and stupid is forgetting your wallet at a bar. Fucking your coworker while at a conference? That is way beyond drunk and stupid, Robyn."
Michael brushed her hand from his knee as one would a spider they'd noticed crawling on them. Robyn stared at him and clutched her hand to her chest as if she were the true offended party.
"It was a mistake. Please don't do this. Think of our family. Our kids. I'll do anything to make this right. Anything, Michael."
At the mention of their kids, the logical part of Michael's brain came online. Divorce would be messy. He didn't relish the idea of juggling the kids between them. Plus, they were in the middle of building a new house. The division of assets would be disastrous and possibly bankrupting. The logical part of Michael's brain suggested forgiveness and reconciliation would be the most prudent and painless course of action.
But the emotional part of his brain seethed with rage. With disgust. With hurt at his wife's betrayal.
While he and Robyn had always been great co-parents and friends, their sexual connection had definitely waned over the increasingly busy and stressful years of their marriage. His wife hadn't been interested in sex with him for months, years even. Michael often felt pathetic, having to practically beg for every little crumb Robyn would relent to toss his way. And those few times she decided to initiate sex, he felt so much pressure not to upset her that it was barely enjoyable.
Michael didn't know any details of what had occurred between Robyn and Dave at that conference. He didn't care to know. A part of him feared she'd been the aggressor. He remembered how aggressive she'd been when they were dating and first married. The surprise blowjobs while driving together. How she'd reveal she wasn't wearing panties by grabbing his hand and pushing it under her skirt while seated at a crowded restaurant. He shuddered to think about what tactics she'd employed for her coworker while barely allowing Michael to hug her at home.
"How about you go back in time and not fuck Dave, Robyn?"
It was childish. Michael knew that. He could see by the look on his wife's face that she knew their discussion was coming to a close. Robyn sighed, almost as if she'd resigned herself to losing everything. Michael noticed she had stopped crying. With clear eyes and somewhat more composure, she straightened herself up and put her hand back on Michael's knee.
"I can't do that, Michael. But I will do anything, no matter how terrible, to make this right. I know you're angry. I know what I did was unforgivable. But I love you and I don't want to lose you. I hope somewhere deep down, you feel the same."
Michael once again pushed her hand off his knee, this time with some hesitation. He felt his rage subside enough to recognize a tiny flame of love for his wife still flickering somewhere inside of him. Independent of his logical assessment of separation, Michael decided that he'd give his wife another chance.
"I do, but I need some time to calm down and think."
The tears returned to Robyn's eyes and a sad smile drew across her face. She nodded and mouthed a silent "OK" before walking out of the room. Michael laid back on their king-size bed and stared at the ceiling fan slowly rotating above him. A new feeling swept over him, replacing the anger and hurt. She had said she'd do anything to make things right. For the first time in nearly a decade, Michael was sitting in the driver's seat of their marriage, and he knew just what Robyn would have to do.
*****
"Where are we going?"
Robyn looked out the window of the car as they pulled onto the highway ramp. Despite the anger and disgust he still felt toward her, Michael had to admit she hadn't looked so attractive in years.
He'd instructed her to "dress sexy" and "prepare for a night out." Robyn's interpretation of this was digging out the slinky black dress she'd worn to a wedding years ago. She'd been slimmer then, so the dress now hugged the soft curves of her hips and ass. It seemed shorter, and he couldn't help but keep glancing at the way her breasts spilled out the dress's low neckline. They seemed fuller now than before she'd had children and gained a bit of weight.
Robyn caught him staring at her and flashed him a desperate smile, putting her hand on his thigh. Michael turned his eyes back on the road and acted as though he hadn't noticed, despite his rapidly stiffening cock communicating otherwise. Feeling his erection brush against her hand, Robyn began to rub her fingers against its length. He reached down and coldly removed her hand, dropping it on her lap.
"We're almost there."
His wife appeared to sulk as she stared silently out the car window for the remainder of the drive. Michael mentally reviewed the plan, the thought of which caused his cock to pulse and ache with vengeful desire. Turning off the dark highway, they pulled into the parking lot of Illicit Affairs Video and Adult Novelties.
"You have to be kidding me."
Robyn shot Michael a look of derision, punctuating it with a humorous laugh. He parked the car in front of the store and switched the engine off.
"You said 'anything, no matter how terrible,' right?"
Michael didn't wait for an answer before opening the door and getting out of the car. His wife reluctantly followed, wrapping her coat around herself and pulling her dress down as much as possible.
"Yeah, but this isn't what I meant."
She struggled to keep up with Michael in her heels as he opened the door and entered the well-lit and cluttered store. Robyn looked both ways before quickly sliding into the store and stepping beside her husband. She leaned over to him and whispered.