The devastating truth hung in the air between them, thick and suffocating. Eric watched Delia's face, a look of confusion, shock, and a deep, spreading hurt that tore at his soul. He wanted to reach for her, to hold her and tell her he was sorry a thousand times over, but he knew that was out of the question. He had forfeited that right. His touch would likely feel like a betrayal now.
He had to try to explain, even if the words felt weak and useless. "I was struggling," he said, his voice raw with a sorrow that seemed to age him. "Every day, I wanted to tell you. But I thought you might have a hard time accepting it, too. I was a coward. That's why I couldn't tell you."
