Chapter 13: A White Flag Waved
Matthew called Henry into the office later that day for him to sign the divorce papers. He signed them without arguing and pushed them back towards Mr Bukater.
"I expect she doesn't want to see me, but will you tell her I'm sorry?" Henry asked. "I don't know what happened. She's Rose. She's incredible. But for some reason I lost my way. The thing is," Henry's emotions began to tumble out of him as he eulogised his marriage. "She was a wonderful wife but she always seemed a little distant from me. I felt there was a side to her I never even got close to. As if a part of her heart had already been given away. Poor Imogen. I believed I loved her but I don't think I really did. She reminded me of Rose and made me feel needed, like Rose never did." He laughed awkwardly, as if to try and disguise the heartbroken quivers in his voice. "But I did really love Rose. Please, Mr Bukater, I know I don't deserve it but if there's any chance she'll take me back..." he looked hopeful.
Matthew looked at his son in law with pity. He was no stranger to the complicated feelings an extra-marital affair delivered. "Rose loves you. But she is in love with somebody else too. If you really love her, you must let her go." he said simply.
Henry fell back in his chair in despair. He ran a hand through his hair. "And who-" he began, but Matthew held up a hand to stop him.
"I don't think I should say" he said, firmly.
"Of course," Henry nodded and left. He breathed in the Spring air as if inhaling a drug and thought. Rose has fallen in love, he mused. But who with? Someone who's come into her life recently, surely? But she hasn't met anyone knew except- no, it couldn't be him? Mr Redwood? The theatre director. Henry laughed bitterly. When they first met, Rose had been so proud of her escape from the elite classes, only to crawl back to the comforts of the upper crust now. Henry passed the turning for 26th Street and proceeded for a few blocks until he found himself standing outside the gates to the Mr Redwood grand , old mansion