EP6. ◇ Formality and True Intentions
I had no intention of divorcing.
I would continue to cherish my wife and children, my family.
But I would not part with Erika either.
> “I asked my wife to accept that I would go on seeing Erika just as before.”
My wife’s eyes widened in shock. She froze, seemingly turning her mind at full speed to find her next move, and for a while she said nothing.
Then she said, “Please give me some time to think.”
A few days later, my wife did something I had not expected.
> “Her pride set aside, she bowed her head and asked me to break up with Erika—for the sake of a better future together.”
When I told her how lonely I had felt because she had been cold and unresponsive for so long,
she admitted her fault and sincerely apologized.
And then, she confessed:
> “Of course, I always had love for you as family, but I had lost the romantic feelings I once had, and that’s why I treated you coldly.
But when I learned you were close with another woman, I realized how important you are to me—how much I still long for you.”
Hearing such repentance and apology from her, I couldn’t bring myself to be so cold and arrogant as to refuse.
So I told my wife that I had spoken with Erika and ended the affair amicably.
But that was only the official story.
> “In reality, my actions were different.”
By the time my wife pleaded with me, I had already been deeply captivated by Erika.
> “It wasn’t a situation where I could simply say, ‘Alright, I’ll stop seeing her from tomorrow, I’ll quit this affair.’”
