Divorce After Wife's Cheat

I didn't confront Eliza about the excuses she made to avoid my questions. Instead, I walked over to the fridge without any emotion and pulled out two packs of instant ravioli, holding them up. "I don't feel like cooking tonight. How about we just have these?"

The smile on Eliza's face disappeared immediately. She grabbed the ravioli from me and crushed them, the sound of crumpling plastic filling the room.

Her expression turned sour. "Thomas, am I to take this as you giving me an attitude?"

I met her gaze steadily. Eliza's brow furrowed, and she stared at me with the intensity of someone gearing up for a fight. But I was just too tired and didn't feel like cooking dinner.

Was Eliza really so impatient now that even my reluctance to cook was enough to set her off?

When I didn't answer right away, Eliza exhaled deeply and placed the crushed ravioli back on the counter. "You've changed. You never used to let these little things bother you. I shouldn't have missed the concert, but I have my own life too. I can't always be by your side."

"You're such a disappointment, Thomas. I'm going out for dinner; you stay here and think things over."

Without waiting for a response, Eliza went to the bedroom, changed into a figure-hugging Victorian-style dress, grabbed her coat, and headed out. After getting ready, she picked up her phone and sent a voice message to someone, "Come pick me up."

As she turned the doorknob, instinct kicked in, and I opened the drawer of the shoe cabinet. "It's chilly out, take a hand warmer with you."

Regret washed over me the moment I offered, but thankfully, Eliza shook her head. "No, keep it for yourself."

She didn't even look at my outstretched hand, heading out the door without hesitation.

She was always so sensitive to the cold. Even the slightest chill would make her cuddle up to me, giggling as she slipped her hands under my collar for warmth. I couldn't stand to see her cold and always gave in to her demands.

In winter, I made sure to have hand warmers ready, or stocked at home, to give her when I couldn't be there with her outside. Seven years without fail.

Even now, after discovering her affair and feeling utterly heartbroken, my instinct was still to care for her.

Yet now, she says she doesn't need me anymore.