AN: Chapter by MinaBR.
Thank you to SunflowerFran3759 for betaing this chapter.
The answer should have been obvious, but it wasn't.
Notwithstanding the undeniable love I felt for her, doubt and distrust tinted our story with the unsavory color of perfidy. She was never mine to love or to dream of. Every moment, every dream had been a stolen moment of another man's life – her husband. Her lies had cast me in the role of the villain, trying to break apart a happy family, and I didn't care for it, not one bit.
However, even in my darkest hour, I couldn't completely malign her. I pursued her, I tempted her, and I won her affections ... my ardent suit, coupled with a failing marriage had led her to behave dishonorably. On an intellectual level, I could understand her and even forgive her actions. But my wounded pride called for satisfaction, clouding my brain with the unholy need to exact revenge.
For weeks I held on to my silence, despite her numerous attempts to contact me. Self-righteousness is a poor companion, and my need for her, got the best of me. Yes, I still wanted answers, but I would have her, no matter what. Feeling magnanimous, I extended an olive branch; I called her.
The meeting that would break us apart had been set.