*Phone beeped*

"Will, this is the 20th voice mail I've left you. Can you please call me back? Please…. "

*Phone beeped*

"Baby, I am sorry. Can we please talk? I know what you saw. Please… I am sorry."

*Phone beeped*

"Will. I didn't know he would kiss me. I couldn't push him away in front of the cameras. Baby, please…. I love you, and only you. I'd lost you for 6 long months before, and it felt worse than dying. Please… please don't leave me."

Will ignored all the calls.

He finished his glass of whiskey, looked out of his apartment window. The Chicago skyline at night was comparable to the New York skyline, which he once described as "crazy romantic". The memory of New York was like another knife stabbed into his heart.

Just a kiss, right? She loves me, and I love her. Will tried to justify what he saw, and tried to tune out the jealousy voice in his head. He didn't want to admit it, but he was mad at her. It felt like déjà vu – the anger in him felt familiar. Six months ago, he swept her desk clean, and his life turned upside down ever since. I can't go back to that place.

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to answer the calls. Stupid. She said she would get a divorce, and I haven't doubted her at all. How could I be so naïve? They have been married for 18 years… who am I to end this marriage? But he also knew that it was Peter who broke her heart first, it was not entirely Will's fault that their marriage was ending.

The insecurity in him was driving him crazy. The phone beeped one more time. He couldn't stand it any longer. He picked up the call.

"Will! Finally!" Alicia had been calling him non-stop.

Will said nothing. Alicia could hear his heavy breathing.

"I am sorry. I swear I didn't know he would do that. Can you please don't shut me out?" Alicia pleaded.

Finally, Will spook. "Don't you find that hypocritical? Pretending to be the perfect couple until the election, then right after the election you are divorcing him? Or do you really plan to divorce him?"

"Yes of course I will! I love you and only you, baby you know that. I won't stay married to a person that I don't love, and keep breaking the heart of the one that I do love."

"I am not doubting if you love me or not. You love me, but you still feel shameful for loving me, is it? When you were with me, deep down you still blame yourself for not being a good wife."

"No… Will… You've met my kids! You think I would bring a boyfriend home to meet my children if I am not serious? After everything we've been through?"

He knew everything she said was true. But he still couldn't shake off that jealousy feeling and the insecurity.

Alicia continued "I know how you feel, I am sorry. But Peter is still the father of my children, and he'll always be the father of my children. That means he will always be part of my life, just not an important part. Will, you have to accept that because I can't lose you again, you have to trust me. I don't want to be his wife, not anymore." Especially after what happened in the back stage, but Will doesn't need to know that part.

"Will, I want to be yours, forever."

Will drew a deep breath. He knew he'd lost the battle, Alicia had conquered his heart since long time ago.

After a long silence, he said "I… I love you. I've loved you ever since Georgetown more than 20 years ago, I am not going to stop now. But I need some time and some space right now, at least until the election. Who knows, maybe you will change your mind on election night." You made the decision to leave me and my firm on election night last time.

"I don't want to be an insecure possessive boyfriend. Love is not about tying someone down. If you change your mind, I won't be mad at you, I can promise you that. But if you do change your mind… I don't think I can survive another heartbreak."

Alicia could almost hear the sound of her heart shattering. If she changed her mind, she would lose Will forever.

"Will… I don't know how many more ways to say it: I love you. Do you know how many "I love you" I've said to Peter throughout 18 years of our marriage? I don't even remember when was the last time I said these three words out loud. I… I won't say it if I don't really mean it."

Will sighed. "I know. But I need some time to cool down."

"I am right here, waiting for you."

Will considered that for a long time. He was as agonizing as she was. "It's late. You should get some sleep." Alicia didn't say anything.

"Good night." Will said, and he hung up.

Alicia held onto the phone for a long time even after he hung up. She closed her eyes, a drop of tear landed on her hand.