When they arrived at their apartment, Haley was tense.

"What is it?" Nathan finally asked her.

"We have to talk," Haley said. Nathan did not think anything of it at the time.

"Sure," he replied, "What's up?" Haley hesitated. Only then did Nathan begin to get worry. But he was not prepared for what she said next.

"Nathan," she said slowly, "I want a divorce." Nathan was stunned. The words froze him to the spot where he was standing. It must be a joke, he figured. But it wasn't, for the next thing she did was present the papers.

"Wait, Haley, come on, let's work this out. Why do you want this? I thought we were happy. I thought you were happy."

"No, Nathan," she said, "That was you." The words bitterly stung Nathan's heart and they spent the next three hours talking. Haley explained why she wasn't happy. But to Nathan, the reasons seemed false. He kept thinking there was something more like another guy. He asked to see the letter. She claimed it was nothing. Nathan felt like his trust had been totally broken. The only reason Nathan had signed the papers was because he wanted Haley to be happy.

He was willing to do anything for Haley. It was his weakness and his doom. It was the reason why he was living alone now.

Nathan completely regretted signing the papers now. He still didn't even know what really happened. Sure they had brought it up a couple of times, in the midst of a huge fight. But they had always resolved their differences.

Unless…but she couldn't have known about that. There was no way she could have known. I never told anyone, no one ever saw me. I buried that. It was a secret Nathan planned to take to his grave.

Knowing he'd be even more tired tomorrow if he didn't get some sleep soon, Nathan got into bed. But he didn't fall asleep for a long time. A long time.

Nathan woke up, feeling more refreshed and better then he had in quite some time. He had actually been able to get a few hours of sleep after he had finally gone to bed.

He paused at the mirror of his bedroom, just thinking. He was thinking of his secret. The one where he had, just for one night, in a moment of weakness, kissed a girl named Lauren and cheated on his wife. He had been in Chicago then, having been invited to a game by the Bulls. Actually he had won a contest. He had wanted to surprise Haley with the game tickets. But she had told him she was being featured in a concert. So Nathan went alone.

And in the hotel he had met her. God, she had been beautiful. Long, straight blond hair and amazing green eyes. Nathan had been lonely and wanting someone to hold, anyone. No one could have known about that day. Nathan had never told anyone, not even Lucas.

He fought the tears that were coming on. Why did I do it? Is the divorce my punishment for my mistake?

"I'm sorry, Haley, I'm sorry." Nathan spoke aloud to himself, "I can't undo the past. But I want to start over, I want us back."

Nathan knew the argument with himself was feeble. Who knew if Haley even knew about it? But with dread, he realized Lauren could have told anyone. They could have been cousins or friends long ago.

The thought stopped Nathan cold in his tracks. What if the letter that Haley was holding had been from her? Nathan wished with all his heart that wasn't the case.

But, he had to get ready for school. He saw in the mirror his dark circled and bloodshot eyes. He did look like hell. Everyone told him so. Basketball season was starting though. The first practice was today. Nathan stuffed his physical into his backpack.

Physically he was ready for Whitey, but emotionally…that was a whole different story. He sighed as he went out the door of his apartment and went to school.

Lucas and Tim greeted him at the entrance. Nathan wanted to ignore them; he wasn't really in the mood for "Tim time" or for Lucas. But he didn't.

"Hey," he said instead.

"What's up, Nathan," Tim replied. Nathan shrugged.

"Not much." Nathan's mind was a million miles away. He saw Haley in the hallway. For a split second their eyes met. It was then that he saw the Haley still cared. Maybe it was his imagination, but he knew what he felt.

"Nathan?" Lucas and Tim asked him.

"Hmm?"

"You all right?" Lucas said.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Without another word though, he left them standing at the entrance to the school. Tim looked offended and Lucas puzzled, but Nathan didn't care. He wanted to go after Haley, but he fought the urge. Instead he went to his first class, lonely and sad.