A/N - So if you haven't disowned me by now you never will. Well you might after this but please don't. I'm trying hard to finish the whole thing in the next chapter but it might end up taking more than one. But ignore that for now and enjoy the suffering...

It was evening by the time Stephanie returned home. Her father had demanded she 'fix this'; like it was something she was capable of doing. He had offered the jet. She declined. He needed it for Smackdown anyway, at least that's what she told herself. The truth was, she didn't want to go home because she wasn't prepared to deal with what was waiting for her there. She didn't even know what was waiting for her there…here…on the other side of that door.

Her tired blue eyes stared ahead almost blankly. She'd never been more exhausted in her life.

Or terrified.

Stephanie swallowed the anxious lump in her throat and cautiously slid her key through the lock. Her fingers were trembling. With the mental and physical state she'd been in this past week she was surprised she hadn't had a breakdown.

Yet.

There was still plenty of time for that.

The lights were on and the sound of the TV mumbled through to the kitchen as she placed her purse on the table and left her case at the door. It felt surreal. Like nothing was wrong. As she walked towards the living room she stopped short in the hall when she saw her husband sitting there surrounded by their children. Stephanie felt an indescribable ache in her heart at the scene.

Was this real?

Did any of it even happen?

Her feet carried her a step forward, then another, until she was standing just outside the door. It was as if she was watching herself approach her family rather than actually doing it. She'd walk over and field the mad dash of hugs and kisses from her girls. Her husband would smile, his eyes lighting up in that special way they only did when he looked at her. She'd sit next to him and they'd share a kiss, a quick kiss, but with the promise of so much more. They would cuddle together on the couch and watch the movie together, as a family. Just like they always did.

"You're home."

Stephanie reeled out of her trance, her eyes wide and heart beating frantically as she stared into the hard eyes of her mother. "Mom?"

"I was wondering when you'd decide to make an appearance." Linda tried but she just couldn't do it. She couldn't hide the disdain in her voice as she spoke to her own flesh and blood. She could barely even look at her but she did. Her daughter appeared to be just as much of a mess as her son-in-law. Paul had completely broken down on her this morning, so badly that she was afraid to leave him. She'd never seen anything like it; to witness first hand a man's world come to pieces. It only served to strengthen her resolve. Stephanie was her daughter and she'd love her until the day she died but words couldn't even begin to describe how disappointed she felt right now. "Say hello to the girls. Then I'm taking them with me and you don't leave this house until you reach a decision about what to do."

"Mom, please…"

At this Linda grabbed both shoulders and stared her daughter dead in the eye. "Fix this, Stephanie. Fix it or I'm telling you he's going to walk out that door and he won't come back." The elder McMahon could only grimace at the haunted look on Stephanie's face as she unknowingly echoed the sentiments of her husband. Her mind recalled the conversation she'd had with Paul when he'd finally regained his composure.

"How did you….do it….when you found out about…Vince and…"

"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But I stayed because I loved him and I knew he loved me. Vince is…an eccentric man. He had an awful childhood…some of the things he does are…I know it sounds like I'm excusing it but…"

"How could you ever look at him the same way knowing what he did? I can't….Linda I can't even think about her without wanting to break something. Every time I close my eyes I see them together and it makes me sick. How did you do it?"

"That feeling? It eventually passes. It will never go away but you learn how to control it. I put my family first…Shane and Stephanie…I didn't want them in that situation."

"Are you telling me you'd judge me if I did?"

"I'm not telling you anything, Paul. She hurt you in the worst way possible and I'm so sorry. I'm so disappointed in her...that she could do this after…what happens next is up to you. But remember that you have three wonderful children together, you have a life together…"

"A life she clearly doesn't give a fuck about."

"If you truly think you can't get past this then…just think about it, Paul. That's all I ask. Think about it long and hard before you decide because it isn't just your life that will change from this; our girls, your career, everything."

"I don't give a shit about my career. I can't believe I'm even having this conversation."

"Do you think you can ever forgive her?"

"I want to. I just don't know if I can."

Linda would never forget the expression on his face. It would stick with her forever. She hoped and prayed that he could get past the hurt he was feeling in order to make a rational decision but somehow she had the feeling that this wasn't going to end well. As much as Vince had hurt her when he slept around, she knew in her heart of hearts that Stephanie had hurt Paul ten times worse. That wasn't to downplay her own marriage or how much she loved her husband. Because she did. But she had never seen two people more perfect for each other than her daughter and son-in-law. They were made for each other and they were so desperately in love, even after all this time. It was all she had ever wanted for Stephanie. To find her Prince and live happily ever after. She had it all and had foolishly and selfishly thrown it all away. And for what? The next time she saw Randy Orton he'd be lucky if he didn't get a slap in the face. He wasn't the only one to blame and she still needed to get the other side of the story. She just knew from Paul's reaction that he had no part to play in this adulterous act. After all she was unfortunately speaking from experience. Whatever had happened was on Stephanie and Randy. Now everybody, including her innocent granddaughters, were about to pay the price.

"I'm so sorry, mom."

"I'm not the one who needs your apology."

Stephanie couldn't take the disgusted look on her mother's face. It was too much. All she could do was stare ahead and watch as Linda called to her kids. They all came running over, followed by her husband who didn't bother to meet her gaze.

"Say goodbye to your mom and dad, we're having a sleepover tonight!" Linda managed a small smile as her announcement was met with resounding cheers. Inside her heart was breaking all over for her grandchildren. Her stomach grew tight at the look on Stephanie's face as she watched her husband hug their daughters tight after they got their fill from her. This was unbearable.

"I love you so much," Paul said as he squeezed Murphy tightly.

"You're squishing me, daddy!"

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, repeating the action with her sisters and holding them close.

Stephanie watched in pain. He was acting like he was never going to see them again. Suddenly her eyes began to well up. She couldn't do this.

"Go on with, Linda. Have fun." Paul nodded at his mother-in-law, then at his kids as they each grabbed their prepared backpacks and made for the door. When he heard it click shut he quickly turned on his heel and walked to the middle of the room, switching off the TV.

He took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly at his sides before releasing them. Then he turned, finally coming face to face with the woman who had shattered his heart into a million tiny pieces. Gone was the deep longing in his gut that he used to get every time he looked at her. Gone was the overwhelming surge of pure and raw affection he felt for her. Now all he saw was Randy Orton. And when he didn't see Randy Orton he saw the filthy bitch who spread her legs for him.

"What happened to your face?"

"Do you care?"

Stephanie moved closer until they were both standing in the center of the room. "Of course I care."

"Really? You got a funny way of showing it."

Well that didn't take long, Stephanie thought to herself, although how could she blame him. This conversation was happening whether she wanted it to or not. A tear trickled down her cheek followed by several others and she swiped them away. It was no use. His spiteful tone and the hateful look in his eyes were more than enough to send her over the edge.

"No. You don't get to cry," Paul said harshly. "You don't get to cry because it's your fucking fault we're in this shit in the first place."

"Paul…"

"Why, Stephanie? How could you do this? How can you fucking stand there and have the nerve to cry over what you've done."

His voice cracked at the end and Stephanie felt her heart literally ache. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry. It was a mistake, Paul. A stupid fucking mistake that I'll regret until the day I die."

"A mistake? A mistake is taking a wrong turn. A mistake is screwing up your paperwork. Hell, a mistake is even hurting your husband or wife by acting stupid. But what you did… Please, please tell me where being an unfaithful fucking bitch fits under anybody's definition of 'a mistake'."

Paul could feel himself shaking. His eyes were blurry, his palms sweaty. He was so fucking angry. Every time he thought he had things under control, he looked at her and felt complete and utter rage in his heart. Now more than ever it started to dawn on him that he couldn't live like this. How could he control this around their children? There was no way he would even think of sharing her bed. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to smile at her or touch her. He wanted nothing to do with her.

"I can't tell you enough times how sorry I am. I just….I don't know what happened. He turned up at the office and…" she trailed off at the flash of shock and embarrassment in his eyes.

"You fucked him in your office?" He couldn't believe this. "Are you crazy? You were that hot for him you…" Paul trailed off and wiped at his own eyes. "Why him? What the fuck happened between us that made you do this? I don't understand….I don't understand it….everything was fine…"

Stephanie watched him fall into a trance. It was like he was talking to himself, trying to pinpoint a moment where he might have done something wrong. It killed her to see him like this, searching for something he did to explain her actions. She deserved every ounce of heartache she was experiencing right now. She deserved it for what she had done to him.

"Do you love him?"

This time it was too much. She ignored his quick step backwards as she reached for him, grabbing his face and staring deeply into his eyes. "No. I don't love him. I love you, Paul. I love you so much…I can't even….oh God…I'm so sorry for what I've done, for hurting you like this. I love you so much that I can barely breathe right now and I hate him. I hate him with everything inside me. I hate him."

Stephanie practically begged and pleaded. He had to believe her. There was no other option here, he had to believe her. They were both crying and her hands gripped his face tightly, desperate for him to realize that she meant every word she had said. But the words he uttered in response just about punctured a hole in her damn soul.

"I hate you."

She let go of his face and stepped back, her hand drawn to her mouth. "No….you don't mean that."

"I do," Paul nodded his head with conviction. He was disgusted with her. It was all too clear to him now. He wasn't prepared to live this way, to allow this anger and hatred to fester until it destroyed him completely. Because he couldn't get over it. He couldn't see a day where he could look at her and NOT see Randy Orton's hands all over her. In the back of his mind he recalled his conversation with Linda. She was stronger than he ever gave her credit for. She had been able to do it. If that made him some heartless bastard he didn't care. Stephanie had fucked this up by fucking another man. And he hated her for ruining the perfect life they had built together.

"I hate you," he repeated, drawing satisfaction from the way the color drained from her face. "I hate you for doing this to me, I hate you for doing this to our kids, I hate you for lowering yourself to some slut who lets a guy show up and fuck her at work like she has no self control. I hate you for breaking my fucking heart, Stephanie."

Hearing each word spill out of his mouth in such unbridled anger shook her to the core. She felt like she was going to be sick. This was really happening. Her own husband hated her. She loved him more than life itself and he was standing here telling her that he hated her because she broke his heart. Stephanie had never felt anything like the pain she was experiencing right now. It was like somebody had a vice grip around her heart and was slowly squeezing and squeezing until she exploded.

"And you know what the best part is? I hate you because after everything you've done, I still love you. Do you get that? How fucked in the head am I, huh? How fucked in the head am I?"

"If you love me then…"

"No. I can't do this. Every time I look at you I see him fucking you, do you know that? And I want to hurt you so bad. I want you to feel as shitty as I do but there's nothing I could ever do that will make you feel as small, humiliated and betrayed as I feel right now. You've embarrassed me in front of your family, our kids, my family who don't even fucking know what's going on yet. How am I supposed to go to work? Did you think about that while he stuck his dick in you, huh?"

"So this is about work to you? You're so concerned about what people might think about you? What about our family, Paul? You can't just walk out on our kids." She was so stunned by his outburst that she did the only thing she had the ability to do in that moment, she lashed out.

"Fuck you." Paul stepped forward and pointed his finger in her face. How dare she? "Don't you dare come at me with that shit. "This family has always been the most important thing in my life and it still is, only you're not in it. And guess what? You can tell your dad he can go fuck himself too. Like father like daughter, right?" She reared back to slap him but he easily caught her hand and threw it back in her face.

It was something in his eyes that made her blood run cold. There was a finality to them that she wasn't prepared to deal with. This had always been a potential outcome but somehow, she had convinced herself that it wouldn't happen, that he would get over it and they'd go back to the way things used to be. "Please don't do this."

"You did this, Stephanie."

"Paul, please…just…give it some time, baby. I know you're hurt. I know you're mad." She was literally begging him. Her hand had latched on to his and she swore she'd never let go, not until this whole fucking mess was past them. "You can….in time it will be easier…"

"Easier to what? Forgive you?" He scoffed, roughly tugging his hand from her grasp. "I can't forgive you because you've broken me. Do you understand that? You and our kids were the only thing that ever mattered to me. Everything else…my career…the wrestling…the office…I don't give a shit. It never mattered. I lived for you. And you ruined it, you ruined me. I'll never forgive you for making me feel like dirt and ruining what we built together." He pushed past her and grabbed his coat off the banister.

Stephanie watched as he lifted a stuffed black duffel bag that was waiting right next to the front door. He had obviously thought this through.

"I'm leaving. I'll be back to see the kids and then…"

"Then what?"

"I don't know. I really don't," Paul muttered to himself as he stepped outside and fought to stop himself from breaking down. He couldn't look back. He couldn't look back because he'd give in and go to her.

Stephanie could only stand there, tears streaming down her face and arms wrapped protectively around her body as she watched his tail lights disappear around the corner. It wasn't until she could no longer hear the loud engine rumble that her knees buckled and she crumbled under the weight of her misery.