Kael's phone kept ringing, like an alarm reminding Elara of the reality she had almost forgotten. David stood motionless, watching her with a gaze that made Elara feel like a specimen under a microscope.
With trembling hands, Elara pressed the decline button. The ringing stopped, replaced by a silence more chilling than before.
"I choose you, David," Elara said, her voice shaking. "I choose us. I choose Alisha."
David didn't respond immediately. He walked closer with slow steps, like a tiger circling its prey. "Why?" he asked briefly.
"Why... what?"
"Why did you choose me? Because you love me? Or because you're afraid of losing the comfort I provide? Or because you don't want to be seen as a bad mother by Alisha?"
Each of David's questions felt like a direct blow. Elara couldn't answer. Because in her heart, she knew the answer was a mix of all those things—and that made her feel even more hypocritical.
"I... I want us to fix our marriage," Elara finally answered, choosing the safest words.
David nodded slowly, but his eyes remained cold. "Alright. But there are conditions."
He stopped right in front of Elara. "First, you will block Kael's number and all his social media. Second, we will attend marriage counseling together. Third," David took a deep breath, "you will be honest with me about everything, without exception. No more secrets."
Elara nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I agree."
"But most importantly," David looked at her sharply, "you need to understand that my trust in you is shattered. It will take a long time to rebuild it. Maybe years. And during that time, our relationship won't be the same."
Elara nodded again, unable to speak.
David finally took a step back. "I'll sleep in the guest room tonight. We both need some time alone."
As David turned to leave, Elara asked in a small voice, "Do you still love me, David?"
David stopped, but didn't turn around. "I love the woman I thought you were. Now, I need to get to know the woman you actually are."
The guest room door closed, leaving Elara alone with her crushing guilt. She collapsed onto the sofa, clutching her phone that had now blocked Kael's contact.
She had made her choice. But why did it feel like burying a part of her own soul? And most painfully, she knew this was the right choice—not out of love, but out of duty.
Meanwhile, in the guest room, David sat on the edge of the bed, his head bowed. He had just won the battle, but why did it feel like a defeat? Because he knew—Elara chose him not out of love, but out of guilt and obligation.
And somewhere in the city, Kael stared at his phone with the declined call, realizing that this time, Elara had truly left him.