Page 51 of Unfaithful

I nodded, unable to form a single word without my voice breaking.

She turned and led the way to our room, and I followed. Every step felt heavier than the last.

I could feel Emma and Archie's stares burning into my back. They were worried that I would hurt her even more.

Never had I felt so small, so helpless in my entire life.

I stepped into the room after her, closing the door behind me.

She chose a single chair across from the sofa by the window, intentionally keeping her distance—a silent statement, a clear boundary.

Without a word, she gestured for me to sit.

And when I sat, she studied me for a long moment while I scrambled to find the right words.

I knew what I had to do now, had thought about it over and over, and there was only one path left for me. I also knew I couldn't do this to Sara anymore; I couldn't be so selfish to drag her even deeper into this mess.

I loved her so much. And because of that, I couldn't keep hurting her.

But then she spoke first.

"You're not here because you want to come back to me, are you, Cole? You're here to tell me you've chosen her."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Sara

He looked like he was on the verge of collapsing.

What had happened to him?

I studied him closely, noting the sharp hollows beneath his eyes, the dark shadows smudging like bruises of exhaustion. His usually neat stubble had thickened into a beard, adding to his rugged, almost disheveled appearance. Wrinkled clothes hung loosely on his frame; his shoulders slumped as if carrying an unbearable weight.

Had he been sleeping at all? Eating?

Then there was that look. I knew it well.

Guilt. Shame.

The look of someone holding back words that needed to be spoken but couldn't quite bring himself to say them.

"You're not here because you want to come back to me, are you, Cole? You're here to tell me you've chosen her."

Cole let out a long sigh, his head dropping. His shoulders trembled as he shook his head. "I can't. I can't say it."

When he finally looked up, his eyes were red, glistening with unshed tears. "I don't have the strength to say it."

He took a shaky breath, his gaze pleading. "I can't lose you."

He ran a hand down his face, elbows resting on his knees. "I know I don't deserve to ask this," he said thickly. "I know I've already lost you. I know I've been selfish, and I hurt you so badly. But I have to ask, Sara... Is there any part of you that's still willing to stay?" His voice was strained, almost breaking. "I promise you, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'll be the man you deserve. Please, Sara."

"Cole..." The words felt heavy and bitter. "You have a child with another woman."

His face dropped back into his hands.

"I know," he whispered. "I know..."

"Has she given birth yet?" I asked, needing to know.

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