I looked away.
The terrible thing was that he was right.
I had loved Nigel for twelve years.
We had built a home.
We had two children.
I knew how he drank his coffee.
How he hummed when he cooked.
How he became quiet whenever he was worried.
But seeing his face had revealed a connection he'd hidden from me throughout our marriage.
"Did you marry me because you felt guilty?"
His eyes filled.
"No."
"Did you become an eye surgeon because of me?"
He hesitated.
"The accident shaped my decision."
I swallowed.
"And when you recognized me at the hospital?"
"I wanted to apologize."
"Then why didn't you?"
He began crying.
"I was ashamed. I thought if I told you, you would never want to hear my voice again."
I stared at him.
"And instead, you let me fall in love with that voice."
He closed his eyes.
"Yes."
