Husband Epically Exposed Cheating Wife At Family Meeting; Now Her Live Is Ruined

Husband Epically Exposed Cheating Wife At Family Meeting; Now Her Live Is Ruined


Husband Epically Exposed Cheating Wife At Family Meeting Now Her Live Is Ruined True Cheating Wives and Girlfriends Stories Podcast Relationships

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Life used to feel simple and predictable. My twin brother,
Lance and I were always in competition despite being twins.
Our parents, with a sense of humor, named us Arthur
and Lance like knights of legend, but our relationship was
anything but nightly. Lance, with his effortless charm and athleticism,
always seemed to excel, while I, the older twin by
two minutes, struggled to gain recognition. It's funny how childhood

(00:29):
dynamics shape your entire life. Reflecting on my marriage to Page,
I realize it mirrored that competition, constantly chasing something just
out of reach. When we met, she seemed perfect, smart, beautiful,
and driven. We built a life together, kids, suburban home,
stable jobs, but over time something essential was missing, turning
our marriage into a routine instead of love. As I

(00:51):
rushed out of the house, my body gave out. I vomited, violently,
releasing more than just fast food. It was the pent
up pain and bitterness I had swe wallowed for too long.
The reality of my broken marriage hit me hard. Page
followed me outside, barefoot, pleading. I shook her off, yelling
at her to leave me alone. As I sped away,

(01:11):
drowning her voice with the car's engine. In the rear
view mirror, I saw her standing there in her bathrobe,
arms crossed, looking worried, but not enough to stop me.
The realization that there was no love left between us
hurt more than catching her in the act minutes earlier.
It wasn't a new revelation, just an old truth I
had avoided facing. At Lance's apartment, he greeted me with concern,

(01:34):
but I brushed past him and collapsed on the couch.
His messy apartment always annoyed me, with dirty dishes and
clothes strewn everywhere. He had been playing video games when
I arrived. Typical Lance. Everything okay, bro, he asked, nudging me.
I ignored him, and he eventually returned to his game. Finally,
I snapped, aren't you supposed to be at work? Without

(01:55):
looking away from the screen, he replied, aren't you watching
him play? My anger grew? How could he sit there
casually playing video games while my life was falling apart?
Why did things come so easily to him while I
carried all the weight? I exploded, surprising even myself. Can
you turn that crap off? What are you sixteen? Lance shrugged,
unfazed and kept playing. What's your problem, he asked, calmly.

(02:20):
That's how Lance handled everything. Nothing ever phased him. My
rage boiled over. I grabbed his controller and smashed it
against the wall. What the hell, Art, he yelled, what's
wrong with you? You? I shouted, poking him in the chest.
You're what's wrong with me? If you've got a problem,
leave this is my place. Go back home to your wife,
I snapped. We'd fought before, but this time was different.

(02:43):
Fueled by anger, I attacked again, but Lance always stronger,
easily overpowered me, knocking me out cold. When I came
to I heard Lance on the phone. I don't know
what's wrong with him, he said. Seeing me awake, he
smirked and tossed me an ice pack. You done acting
like an idiot? Why did you call Page, I groaned.
She's your wife. She should deal with you, He replied,

(03:05):
call her back, tell her I left her died. I
don't care. I can't talk to her right now. His
expression softened. What's going on, Art, you come over here
and swing at me. What's your deal? Reluctantly, I told
him about the day's events, the sick feeling after a
bad meal, Deciding to work from home and the unexpected
discovery that shattered my world. I didn't expect Page to

(03:25):
be home, and the strange car outside didn't raise alarms.
I was too focused on reaching the bathroom, unaware that
my life was about to change forever. As I finished
recounting the story, Lance grew serious. That witch, He yelled,
screw her. I chuckled darkly, funny, that's what that guy
was doing. Ignoring my comment, Lance started pacing, Who is

(03:46):
this guy? Do we know him? He paused, looking worried.
Tell me it's not Brian, No, not Brian, but the
guy looked familiar. A knock at the door interrupted us.
It was Page, he left, said, coldly, cutting off her protests.
When he returned, I gave him a grateful smile, and
we spent the rest of the afternoon in silence. Eventually,

(04:09):
I knew I had to face Page. Staying away was
just delaying the inevitable. When I got home, everything looked normal,
almost as if it had all been a bad dream.
But it wasn't. Inside. Page tried to talk. We should talk,
she said, I sighed, staying silent. She apologized, but it
felt hollow, more about how I found out than the

(04:31):
betrayal itself. I sarcastically threw her words back at her,
mocking her empty apology. We argued about everything but the
core issue, dodging the real pain. Eventually, I asked, how
long has it been since we made love? She hesitated,
What does that have to do with anything? It's like
you were just doing me a favor, I said, But
that guy he gets enthusiasm. She didn't answer, and I

(04:54):
knew I was just trying to provoke her. But I
wanted her to feel something, anything close to what I fult,
but she couldn't because I hadn't cheated, I had kept
my vows. After a tense silence, I finally asked, do
you still love me? Page Her hesitation was telling yes,
but not in the same way, not anymore, Not in

(05:15):
that way, I repeated, realizing she didn't love me anymore. Exhausted,
I got up to leave. She grabbed my hand. Don't
run away. We need to finish this, I pulled away.
What's left to say? You don't love me? That's not
what I said, she insisted. I know you're hurt, and
I regret it, but you're twisting my words right because
you understand me so well I sneered, when did you

(05:38):
stop loving me before or after you started cheating? Because
I don't remember you ever mentioning it. She narrowed her eyes.
Being an idiot won't make this easier. My mistake. I
didn't realize how tough this was for you, I responded, sarcastically.
She started to respond, but stopped her patience, finally gone,
you know what, Artie, You're right, I should stop apologizing.

(06:02):
You'll just twist everything I say. I couldn't resist one
more jab. Was this you trying to spare my feelings?
That was it? Her face hardened and she smirked. Yes,
I was sparing your feelings. I wasn't going to tell
you that you're a boring, overweight man who's terrible in bed,
or that the last time we had fun was before
I got pregnant. But since you insist, Her words cut deep.

(06:24):
I wanted the truth, but not this brutally, so I retaliated, Well,
when your wife just lies there like a blow up doll,
what do you expect? Unfazed, she delivered the final blow.
If you'd seen me with Derek, you'd know what I'm
like with a man who knows what he's doing that
hit me hard. My pride shattered. I was speechless, her

(06:46):
words echoing in my head. Seeing my reaction, her anger
shifted to regret artie. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it,
she began, but I left the room before she could finish.
The Next morning, I woke up in the guest room,
disoriented and late. For her words boring overweight man echoed
in my mind as I stared at my reflection before yesterday,

(07:06):
I thought my life was good, comfortable, with a decent job,
a nice house, and kids in private school. But apparently
that wasn't enough for her. She wanted someone who wasn't me.
As I left the bathroom, Page and I awkwardly crossed
paths in the hallway. I need to wake Josh, she said, Okay,
I mumbled. We quickly went our separate ways, and I

(07:26):
was relieved to leave the house. At work, I tried
to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to Page
in her affair. Her words haunted me. If you really
saw me with Derek, you'd know what I'm like with
a man who knows what he's doing. My phone buzzed
a text from Page last night got out of hand.
We need to talk without the petty nonsense. Anger flared,

(07:47):
but I didn't lash out. I simply replied, agreed, we'll
talk tonight. Her response came quickly, Okay, see you. Then
at work, I couldn't shake her cruel words, especially as
I visited a store managed by a young guy named Phil.
Watching him work, I couldn't help but compare myself, her
words echoing in my mind. When I asked Phil how

(08:07):
he stayed fit, he gave me a gym card, suggesting
I check it out. I stuffed it in my wallet,
unsure if i'd ever use it at home Page and
I sat in silence until I finally asked why Page.
A tear slipped down her cheek. Because I'm not attracted
to you anymore. We've lost the spark clenching my teeth,
I asked, and I suck in bed right. She shook

(08:28):
her head sadly. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday.
I was angry. Is it true? I asked, but her
silence answered why didn't you tell me? Why did you
let this go on for years instead of talking to me?
I asked, frustrated. I tried it first, but nothing changed,
so I convinced myself I had no right to be unhappy.
I couldn't believe it. You never told me I was

(08:50):
bad in bed, but I did mention your weight, she said, defensively.
How was I supposed to know that meant you were
unhappy in our marriage? I retorted, I thought it was
just a phase. Why didn't you try to fix us?
Then she shot back, I wasn't the one cheating, I
replied sharply. If you were so unhappy, you should have
spoken up, not stepped out. After a moment of silence,

(09:12):
she quietly said, I think we should get a divorce, Artie.
Her words echoed in my mind. Logically it made sense,
but love isn't logical. I felt a surge of anger,
not just about the cheating, but because I wasn't the
one suggesting the split. I should have been the one
to end it, but I was still holding onto hope.
Of course, you think we should, I said, sarcastically. Never

(09:34):
mind the twins, right divorce because you need zex Come on, Arty,
you said you were unhappy too. Yeah. But I started
to argue, but realized it was pointless. She was done
and I needed to get away this time. When I left,
she didn't stop me as I was about to leave.
One last question burned in my mind. Without turning around,

(09:55):
I asked, who was that guy? Derek. His name is Derek.
He works with me, she replied, Derek, I whispered, recalling
him from an office party two years ago. You two
danced a lot. Sensing my implication, she quickly responded, we
weren't sleeping together then, I promise, I scoffed bitterly. I

(10:16):
guess that's something. But you were flirting, right, What does
it matter, Artie, she asked, sadly, it matters to me.
She rolled her eyes. Fine, there was some attraction, maybe flirting,
but it was just office banter. Things didn't get serious
until we started meeting at the gym. Of course, the gym,

(10:36):
I muttered venomously. That's when you decided to wreck our marriage, right,
because I'm just the boring, fat guy, Artie, she whined,
But I ignored her. He's great in bed, right, turns
you into a NYMPHO. Those were your words. She just repeated,
I'm sorry I said those things. Tired of her hollow apologies,

(10:56):
I muttered whatever and walked out. I drove straight to
my brother's place. He took one look at me and
stepped aside, staying over. He asked. I nodded. He returned
with a blanket. Thanks, I said, no problem. Just don't
act like an idiot, or I'll knock you out again,
he joked. Heading to bed, I spread the blanket on

(11:17):
the couch, undressed and washed up. Catching my reflection in
the mirror, I shook my head and walked out. As
I lay on the couch, I wondered how my life
had come to this. I did everything right, worked hard,
stayed loyal, but here I was crashing on my brother's couch,
like I was the one who messed up. Sleep was elusive.
My mind kept replaying scenes of page and derreck, not

(11:39):
just in bed, but at the gym and work, laughing
and flirting. Those images hurt more than what I saw
in the shower. Did they ever talk about me, compare us?
The thought stung deeply. I finally dozed off, only to
wake when Lance started getting ready for work. He grabbed
a yogurt and ate it, standing up in the kitchen,
looking like a college kid. I held back my thoughts.

(12:00):
After all, I was crashing at his place with no
plans to leave any time soon. Are you going to
work today? He asked, I don't know, maybe, I replied.
He shook his head and finished his yogurt, giving me
one last piece of advice before leaving Art. Don't let
that witch turn you into a sad loser. Move on.
There are plenty of women out there. I didn't respond

(12:22):
his advice, though well intentioned, felt clueless. He saw my
situation as just another break up, not realizing the difference
between my twelve year marriage and his fleeting flings. Life
had always been easier for Lance. He had the looks
and charm, while I worked hard for everything. I stayed
with Lance for a week before we both needed space.
Page texted me several times, asking where I was and

(12:42):
if I was coming back. I ignored her until she
mentioned the twins had questions. I knew I had to
face the kids, so I went home. I planned to
go when the house was empty, but when I pulled
into the driveway, Page's car was already there. Inside, I
found her in the bedroom packing my clothes. You're finally back,
she said, What are you doing with my clothes? I asked,

(13:04):
I wasn't sure you were coming back, so I started
packing them to save you the trouble. She replied, you
knew where I was, Paige, you left me to handle
the kids alone. She shot back. Do you remember why
I left in the first place, I asked, incredulously. After
a pause, she admitted, Okay, it's my fault. I was
wrong for cheating, and you have every right to be angry.

(13:26):
Did you ever love me, I asked, honestly, I did,
and I still do in a way, she replied, implying
that love had changed. Realizing nothing could be salvaged, I said,
I'll move my stuff to the guest room. She nodded sadly.
Trying to lighten the mood, I added, I'm getting a
new bed for that room. She chuckled, Yeah, you bought
that uncomfortable bed to keep Lance from staying too long. Well,

(13:48):
that plan back fired, I laughed. We moved my clothes
in silence, agreeing to an unspoken truce. The rest of
the day passed in cold politeness. That evening, we sat
the twins down to explain what was haping happening. Watching
my kids struggle with the news was almost unbearable. I
couldn't even look at Page, knowing she was the cause
of all this pain. Over the next few weeks, life

(14:09):
dragged on. I contacted a lawyer who told me we'd
have to be separated for a year before filing for divorce.
We agreed on a separation with heated discussions about the terms.
Page wanted to date, and I insisted she keep it
away from the kids. After two weeks, I moved out
into a new apartment. After moving out, life felt bleak.
One day, while sitting in my empty apartment, I saw

(14:30):
a commercial for the Jim Phil had recommended. I decided
to check it out. When I arrived, I immediately fell
out of place, but Naomi, the manager, greeted me warmly
and convinced me to take a tour. Hesitant but curious,
I agreed. During the gym tour, Naomi showed me the amenities,
but what really caught my eye was a wall of
before and after photos. She pointed to one picture and

(14:51):
said that was me when I first joined. I was stunned.
Her before photo showed her at about two hundred pounds.
She explained, I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy.
My husband bought me a treadmill for Christmas, which I
didn't appreciate at first, but it pushed me to make
a change. With my brother in law's help, I lost
over seventy five pounds. Wow, I said, genuinely impressed. So Arthur,

(15:14):
don't feel out of place. We all start somewhere. Maybe
one day your picture will be up here too. Her
words convinced me, and I signed up for a membership.
I started with the beginner program, where a trainer showed
me the equipment and gave tips for effective workouts. I
then booked one on one sessions with a trainer named
Manny every Wednesday at eight a m. To create a

(15:34):
personalized workout routine. I also tried various classes, enjoying the
Thursday biking class but finding yoga less fun than expected.
Meeting others on similar journeys made me feel less alone,
while the Jim helped me stay sane. Things with Page
only worsened. One evening, I visited the kids at our
old home and found Page's niece babysitting. When I asked

(15:55):
where Page was, the niece seemed nervous, hinting the Page
was likely out with Derek. I stayed to spend time
with the kids and sent the niece home. Page returned
around eleven, Surprised to see me. She looked beautiful in
her black dress, but her disheveled appearance suggested she hadn't
just been out dancing. I calmly said, I came to
see the kids. Since I was here, I sent Penny home.

(16:16):
If I'd known you'd be this late, I wouldn't have.
She seemed to gauge my mood, but I was emotionally drained.
I didn't know you were here. I'm sorry, she said,
avoiding eye contact. I shook my head and stood up.
No worries, crap happens, I said, flatly, heading for the door.
As I grabbed my coat, she quietly thanked me for
paying Penny. No problem, good night, Page, I replied, and

(16:39):
walked out. Months later, at the gym, I pushed through
a tough workout, but when I stepped on the scale,
I found I'd only lost ten pounds in three months. Frustrated,
I stormed out, feeling life was unfair. Outside, Naomi noticed
my mood and asked if everything was okay. Before I
knew it, I spilled everything, my weight, loss, struggles, Page,
my kids, and even Lance. She listened attentively and then asked,

(17:03):
what do you really want, Arthur? I admitted I wanted
to feel good about myself. She explained, losing weight alone
won't make you happy. Real self esteem comes from within,
not just looks. You need to know your worth beyond appearance.
Her words resonated with me. She then gave me a
card for her brother in law, Jerry, a personal trainer

(17:23):
and life coach, and encouraged me to give it my
all if I chose to work with him. A week later,
I met Jerry, who was fit and intimidating. He was professional,
almost cold, and warned me that this wouldn't be easy.
His approach was strict, no excuses, no exceptions. Even inspected
my kitchen and asked personal questions about my habits. Despite
his tough demeanor, I agreed to follow his regiment. Jerry's

(17:46):
program was intense. The first day I met with a
nutritionist who taught me about healthy eating. I learned how
much my diet needed to change and started cooking all
my meals. The workouts were brutal, but gradually I adjusted.
Despite the challenges, I knew I was making progress both
physically and mentally. I was constantly hungry and exhausted. My
entire body ached, and simple tasks became difficult. All I

(18:09):
wanted to do was rest, but I couldn't neglect my kids.
Despite the exhaustion, I made time for them. Page to
her credit, made it easier for me. She didn't mind
if I dropped by the house, even unannounced. Maybe it
was guilt, but I believed she genuinely wanted to do
what was best for the kids. She insisted I keep
the house key. I think the unspoken agreement was that
I would respect her privacy. Unfortunately I didn't hold up

(18:33):
my end. Jealousy got the better of me. It started
as innocent curiosity, just poking around when I thought I
wouldn't get caught. I wasn't looking for anything specific, just
trying to see how things were without me around. The
first odd thing I noticed was a new toothbrush in
the bathroom. At first I didn't think much of it,
but then I saw men's body wash in the shower

(18:54):
and started to worry. There were no men's clothes in
the closet, but I found a pair of boxer shorts
in her laundry. Back Seeing another man's underwear mixed with
my wife's things felt like a violation, as if he
was taking over my space. I swallowed my anger and
acted as if nothing was wrong. I didn't want her
to know I was snooping. Keeping her in the dark

(19:14):
seemed like a way to gather more information. Plus I
wanted to appear unaffected, as if her actions didn't bother me.
I also asked the kids if they'd notice anything unusual,
or if any new people had been visiting. They didn't
seem to know what I was talking about, so I
assumed Page was keeping her end of the deal by
not involving them. It seemed her dates happened while the
kids were at school or on nights out. But no

(19:36):
matter how hard I tried to hide it, I'm sure
Page sensed my pain. It's difficult to conceal that kind
of hurt for long. Sometimes she'd give me a guilty
look when she caught me watching her, knowing how easily
she was moving on while I remained stuck in regret.
It hurt, and sometimes I couldn't pretend it didn't. Jerry's
workouts helped. His barking orders during bench presses or smacking

(19:58):
my stomach during sit ups distracted me from thoughts of Page.
Even his sarcastic remarks about my nickname helped channel my
frustration away from my problems, work also became a refuge.
Like many men in my situation, I found solace in
my job. At work, I was valued based on performance.
Numbers and results mattered. If something wasn't working, you fixed it.

(20:19):
If only marriages were that straightforward. Months passed both quickly
and painfully slow. The days were filled with agony, but
pain also reminded me I was still alive. The body
has an incredible ability to heal and adapt. Over time,
I grew stronger physically and emotionally. Bit by bit, my
heart became numb to the situation with Page. Our relationship

(20:39):
shifted so subtly that I didn't notice until it had
changed significantly. The change became clear a couple of weeks
before our separation anniversary. One evening, the kids were asleep
and I was waiting for Page to come home so
I could leave. I spilled soda on my shirt, so
I decided to wash it right away. I assumed Page
wouldn't be back until later, but she surprised me by

(20:59):
coming home early. I rushed to the kitchen to grab
my shirt from the dryer, Feeling self conscious, I didn't
want her seeing my bare chest. Still haunted by her
past judgments. As I struggled to untangle the wet shirt,
I didn't notice her until I heard her footsteps stop
behind me. I turned to find her staring at me,
wide eyed, as if seeing something unexpected. Her gaze made

(21:21):
me even more anxious, and I tried to cover myself
with the twisted shirt. Hey, Page, how is your night?
I asked, trying to sound casual but desperate for her
to stop staring. It was fine, she replied, slowly, not
breaking eye contact. Uh okay. I could feel the tension
in the air, her eyes silently comparing me to her

(21:41):
zex God. It took all my remaining pride not to
flee the room. Instead, I held my head high and said,
the kids are in bed, dinner's done, and homework's finished.
I'm heading out now. If you don't mind, I'll use
your bathroom before I leave. Then I quickly left the kitchen.
When I got to the bathroom, I finally managed to
untangle the shit before putting it on. I caught a

(22:02):
glimpse of myself in the mirror and was shocked, just
like Page had been earlier. My apartment only had a
small mirror that barely showed enough to shave. So I
hadn't been paying much attention to my appearance. After my
disappointing experience on the scale, I had been avoiding mirrors altogether,
preferring to remain in blissful ignorance. But this mirror covered
the wall above the sink, reflecting my entire torso I

(22:26):
was stunned by what I saw. My chest had definition,
and my midsection was noticeably slimmer. The excess fat that
used to stick out had flattened. My shoulders were broader,
creating a more V shaped physique. I wasn't ready for
a fitness magazine cover, but I looked far better than
the out of shape version of myself I had been
used to. For the first time, I saw an attractive

(22:47):
man in the mirror, and that man was me. Was
this why Page had been staring at me? Maybe she
wasn't disgusted, maybe she was attracted. That moment in her
bathroom was a turning point for me. It was the
first time I actually felt worthy. When I left the bathroom,
I casually walked past her and said, all right, Page,
I'm off have a good night. Her eyes lingered on

(23:07):
me as I left but this time I didn't shy
away from her gaze. I embraced it, though I pretended
not to notice. Uh, good night, Artie, she replied, her
voice softer than usual. With a new found confidence, I
walked out the door with a bit of a swagger.
After that moment in Page's bathroom, I became more aware
of the changes I had made without realizing it. I

(23:28):
constantly compared myself to how I was when I first started.
Some changes were obvious, like my clothes fitting differently. My
dress shirt collars were no longer tight around my neck,
and my waist sides had dropped from forty four to
thirty six. Other changes were smaller, but still satisfying. I
could bend down and get up more easily, tie my
shoes without spreading my legs wide, and get in and

(23:51):
out of the car without grunting. When Jerry saw me next,
he noticed the change in my attitude. The fatigue had lifted,
the weights felt lighter, the tread less daunting, and my
energy levels soared. I even found myself checking my reflection
more often during workouts. Jerry caught on and couldn't resist
teasing me. Looks like someone finally noticed the results of

(24:11):
his hard work, he joked. I laughed, Yeah, you caught me. Oh,
go ahead and admire yourself, he said, stepping aside dramatically.
I'm not in your way, am I handsome? No, you're not, idiot.
Thanks for asking, I said, laughing so hard. I had
to stop lifting anytime, Your Highness, I wouldn't want to
stand in the way of love. At first sight, for

(24:32):
the first time, Jerry called me your highness without the
usual snark. It was nice to joke around with him
for a change, as he usually acted like a tough
drill sergeant. Another significant change I noticed was how people
interacted with me. They seemed friendlier, lingered a bit longer
when they looked at me, and smiled more. It might
sound shallow, but I couldn't deny it. Attractive people do

(24:55):
get treated better. It's a sad reality. I realized. Page
wasn't immune to this either. Ever, since that night at
her house, she'd been more attentive, smiling more, and even
brushing her hair out of her face in a way
that felt almost flirtatious. She stopped treating me with pity
and started showing me respect. Everything came to a head
on our separation anniversary. I had contacted my lawyer and

(25:17):
gave the go ahead to prepare the divorce papers. I
wanted them ready so Page and I could move on.
Instead of having her served, which felt impersonal, I decided
to give them to her directly. We were in a
good place, and I felt the end of our marriage
deserve the same respect as its beginning. That night, I
found her upstairs, getting ready, possibly for another date. She

(25:40):
was in front of the mirror putting on earrings. I
knocked on the door frame to get her attention. Oh hey, Ardie,
she said, turning around. She spread her arms and asked,
how do I look? Hey, Page, you look beautiful. But
I am sure you already knew that, I replied, her
eyes did that familiar roving thing taking me in? No,
just trying on clothes to see how they fit. You

(26:00):
remember this dress? I took a closer look and then
burst out laughing, isn't that the dress I bought you
for your birthday? What was it eight years ago? She
smiled brightly and laughed. It was nine years ago. Remember
I saw it in the window and mentioned I liked it.
You said we couldn't afford it, but you didn't tell
me you got that promotion. Then you surprised me by
coming home with the dress and the good news. I remember,

(26:23):
I said, with a nostalgic smile. We celebrated that night
at the new Italian restaurant. Her gaze shifted and she
added softly, that's also the night we conceived the twins.
Pleasant memories flooded my mind, recalling how close we were
that night. But suddenly those happy memories turned dark. I
pictured myself struggling to please her while she was half asleep,

(26:46):
only for another man to replace me in my mind.
Though I didn't remember Derek's face, the thought of him
haunted me. The room felt heavy with unspoken tension. I
shook off the thoughts and said coolly, I have some
thing for you. I dropped a manilla envelope on the bed,
and her expression darkened as she looked at it. Wow,

(27:07):
you didn't waste any time getting that ready, did you,
she said bitterly. Well, it did take me a year,
I joked, hoping to lighten the mood, but she didn't
laugh or smile. She just turned back to the mirror, expressionless,
as if the papers didn't matter. I'll look at them
when I get a chance, she said, flatly, dismissing me.
I left the room, puzzled by her reaction. I didn't

(27:28):
expect a celebration, but I thought she'd at least be
relieved to start the process. I found Josh first, playing
video games in his room. Is your homework done? I
asked sternly. He turned quickly, guilt written on his face
almost he mumbled, looking away. Seeing my expression, he added,
I'll finish it now. Good choice, he grumbled under his

(27:50):
breath as he turned off the game, but I pretended
not to hear. Sometimes it's best to walk away before
you have to discipline your kids for something minor. Next,
I found Ali in the living room flip through a
photo album. I recognized the cover our wedding album. No
need to ask about homework, she was always on top
of it. I sat next to her and put my
arm around her. Hey, Pumpkin, what are you looking at?

(28:11):
I asked? Just you're in mommy's wedding pictures, she replied,
pausing on one of me and Lance in our tuxedos.
You look just the same, especially since you lost all
that weight. You look really handsome now. So I wasn't
handsome before, I teased, laughing as she tried to backtrack.
After a few seconds, I let her off the hook,
just kidding. Thanks for the compliment. She smiled and leaned

(28:33):
into me, but then her expression turned serious. Are you
and Mommy ever going to get back together? I sighed,
wishing I could avoid this conversation. No, Sweetie, I don't
think so, I answered, honestly, thinking of the divorce papers
on Page's bed. Why not, she asked, Sometimes adults realize
they can't stay married, but that doesn't stop us from

(28:54):
loving you. So you and Mommy don't love each other anymore,
she pressed, seeing through my attempt to soften the truth.
We care about each other, but not like husband and wife.
That's why we have to split up. But we'll always
be friends. Allie looked sad and turned away. I kissed
her forehead, but it felt like a small gesture against
her big questions. Explaining divorce to a nine year old

(29:17):
is tough to them. It's simple. If you love each other,
you stay together. Why can't life be that straightforward? I
used to think it was, but everything changed when Derek
entered the picture. I sensed someone behind me and turned
to see Page walking away. As Allie and I continued
looking through the album, I wondered how much of our
conversation she had overheard. A Few nights later, I decided

(29:39):
to attend my weekly biking class. I hadn't been in
a while since starting with Jerry, so there were some
unfamiliar faces. I spotted a familiar one and took the
bike next to her. Hey, Colleen, I greeted cheerfully. She
turned and smiled when she recognized me. Arthur, long time,
No see, I almost didn't recognize you. You've slimmed down,
too good to work out with us. Now, where have

(30:00):
you been, she teased, her eyes, scanning me with appreciation.
I blushed, I've been here, just working out at different times.
How have we not bumped into each other? Like I said,
you're too good for us now, she joked, nudging me playfully.
Trust me, you're definitely not fat, I said, glancing over her.
Realizing I was checking her out, I became shy again,

(30:21):
unsure whether to apologize or act like it didn't happen. Luckily,
the trainer started class, saving me from further embarrassment. After class,
as Colleen walked past me, she brushed my shoulder don't
be a stranger, she said with a playful smile as
she satcheted out of the room. I wondered if she
was flirting with me. After being married for so long,
I wasn't sure how to recognize the signs anymore. Over

(30:43):
the next few weeks, I kept attending the class just
to interact with Colleen. Each time things played out the
same way, and I became more convinced she was interested
in me. I wanted to ask her out, but kept hesitating.
Every time I saw her, I told myself this was
the time, but I always chickened out at the last moment.
Jerry noticed me checking her out a few times, but

(31:05):
he didn't say anything, though I could tell he knew
what was going on. One day, Colleen walked up to me,
looking a bit confused, and said, your friend over there
told me you had something to ask me. She pointed
behind her, and I saw Jerry in the distance, smiling
and winking at me. I mentally cursed him. Ah yeah,
I stammered. She waited patiently, and I finally mustered the

(31:27):
courage to go for it. I was wondering if you'd
like to do something together some time. She looked thoughtful
at first, and I braced myself for rejection. But then
she smiled brightly and asked, are you asking me out?
Her enthusiasm gave me the confidence to respond, yes, I am.
Would you like to go out with me? She handed
me a piece of paper with her number call me tonight.

(31:50):
Seeing my confusion, she laughed, your friend bet me you
wouldn't ask me out because you were too chicken. Really,
I glared at Jerry. Yep, but I had faith in you.
Now I'm ten dollars richer thanks to you. Happy to help?
Let me know any time I can make him a loser,
I joked, and we both laughed. She said goodbye and
reminded me to call her after eight. As she left,

(32:11):
Jerry walked over with a smug Look what she want?
He asked, pretending to be clueless. She came over to
tell me what an intrusive a hole you are, I replied,
throwing a towel at him. He laughed and shrugged it off.
That night, I faced another dilemma. I hadn't been on
a first date in over a decade. I had no
idea where to take Colleen or what to expect. Were
the dating rules still the same as when I courted Page.

(32:34):
My mind raced with questions, dinner, a movie, something more adventurous. Surprisingly,
Lance gave the best advice. I always take a girl
somewhere unexpected. Dinner and movies are boring first dates, and
can get your friend zoned. Do something unique, like taking
her to a weapon range or batting cage. Excitement works
every time. I couldn't think of anything I could teach her.

(32:55):
But then Lance suggested, why not go for a bike ride?
Didn't you meet her? We're in a biking class, I
asked Colleen, and she was excited about the idea. So
that Saturday we packed our bikes into my suv and
headed to the trail. But what seemed like a good
plan quickly backfired. Biking on a first date turned out
to be a sweaty and awkward way to get to

(33:15):
know each other, leaving little room for conversation. When we
did take breaks, we were too busy catching our breath
to talk much. I started to worry the date was
a bust, and Page's taunt about me being boring echoed
in my mind. Then something unexpected happened. A panicked kid
ran up to us, yelling incoherently. We tried to calm
him down, but he was too upset to make sense. Eventually,

(33:36):
he waved us to follow him. When we got to
the spot, we saw a man lying on the ground
desperately holding onto someone dangling over a cliff. They're over there.
Please help them, the boy cried. My instincts kicked in.
I'll grab him. You two helped the kid, I told
the others. Colleen stood back as we pulled them to safety,
watching the sun hug his exhausted father was incredibly moving.

(33:59):
The father whispered something to his son before passing out.
Colleen had already called emergency. When the paramedics arrived, we
tried to revive the man but couldn't. The EMTs took
over while the police asked us questions. Before we left,
I found a cell phone on the ground, likely the
man's I called a contact labeled Kara wife to inform her,
and then handed the phone to the police before they left.

(34:21):
I thought the date was ruined, but Colleen was thrilled.
She gushed, oh my god, you saved that guy and
his kid. You're a hero. I tried to downplay it,
it was all three of us, but she shook her head,
insisting you acted without hesitation. That was the bravest thing
I've ever seen. The date ended with a passionate kiss
and the promise of a second. On our second date,

(34:41):
we did something more traditional. We talked about our lives.
She had two kids, one in high school. The date
ended with us making out on her porch. Things were
going well until the third date. On Valentine's Day, we
went to see Fifty Shades of Gray, and it clearly
stirred something in her. When we got back to her place,
she hinted that her kids were away and invited me in.

(35:02):
Her intentions were obvious, but as things heated up, all
I could hear were Page's hurtful words about my inadequacy.
The pressure became overwhelming and I had to stop. I'm sorry, Colleen,
I'm not ready, I said, holding back tears as I
rushed out of her apartment, leaving her confused. After that,
I avoided the gem, or at least tried to avoid her.
I couldn't face her after what happened. I stuck close

(35:25):
to Jerry during workouts, avoiding eye contact and pretending not
to see her. It was childish, but it was all
I could do to avoid the humiliation. The situation brought
back deep seated insecurities that Page had planted. I started
imagining that whenever I saw Colleen talking or laughing with someone,
they were mocking me. These thoughts isolated me even more,
and my workouts began to suffer. Jerry noticed and wasn't happy.

(35:49):
Come on, King Arthur, what's up with you? He snapped
when I quit early on the treadmill. I'm just not
feeling it today, I muttered. He mocked me, not feeling it?
Want to retire to your chambers? His attitude pushed me
over the edge. Back off, Jerry, I'm not in the
mood for your crap. The moment the words left my mouth,
I regretted them. Trying to soften the blow, I added,

(36:10):
I'm just going through a lot. I need a break.
He gave me a cold look and said sarcastically, So
you want to take a break and call me when
you feel better. Despite knowing he was mocking me, I
considered it a break. Sounded good. I just need you
to ease up a bit, I said, hoping for some understanding.
To my surprise, he shrugged, sure, why not? Really? Yeah,

(36:34):
I don't want to waste time on someone who can't
get his act together. Let's end our workouts so I
can focus on clients who actually care, he said, nonchalantly.
What the hell, Jerry? I asked, stunned as he walked away,
I chased after him, desperate for an explanation. So I
need one day and you drop me after all my
hard work, I'm not worth a second chance. He ignored me,

(36:54):
but I kept pressing until he turned and shoved me,
pinning me against a machine. His voice dripped with anger.
You know what you are, Arthur? A whiner. You expect
sympathy because your wife didn't appreciate you. But life doesn't
work that way. Winners get back up and prove people wrong.
Loser's whine. Jerry's words cut deep, and I could barely

(37:14):
hold back my anger. He looked at me with a
smirk and asked, so what are you, king, Arthur? A
winner or a whiner? His challenge made my blood boil,
but I didn't back down. He pointed to the treadmill
and ordered get back on and give me twenty more minutes.
Fueled by rage, I ran faster than ever, pushing myself
to the limit. When the treadmill finally stopped. I stormed

(37:35):
off to the locker room fuming. Jerry followed me and
sat down quietly next to me as I struggled to
catch my breath. After a long pause, he opened up.
I proposed to my wife three times before she said yes.
She kept turning me down because she was in love
with another man. His voice had a vulnerability I hadn't
heard before. I asked who the other man was, and

(37:56):
he replied her husband. That shocked me. It turned out
she was a widow and no matter what Jerry did,
he always felt like he couldn't live up to her
late husband. It was a rare moment of honesty from him,
and it caught me off guard. How did you handle that,
I asked. He admitted I tried everything to prove I
was good enough, but in the end she only saw

(38:17):
me as a good friend. His frustration was palpable. He
explained that even though he looked like a walking billboard
for g and C, every one faces rejection. It's not
about how you look, he said. Confidence based on other's
approval is shallow. Real worth comes from within. He then
shared the lesson he learned. If you've done everything you can,

(38:38):
and it's still not enough. It's not you, it's them.
Her rejection didn't make me less worthy, It just meant
she couldn't appreciate what I brought to the table. His
story made me see him differently. He wasn't just a
tough coach. He was human with his own struggles. He
explained that after breaking things off with his now wife,
she eventually realized what she had lost and fought to

(38:59):
be with him. They've been happily married for five years.
But he didn't stop there. He mentioned the eighty twentieth
rule that people often take for granted the eighty percent
they have and chase after the twenty percent they're missing.
He believed I was pages eighty percent, and he wanted
to make sure I didn't take things for granted either.
I push you because I don't want you to feel entitled.

(39:20):
He said, You're not some pathetic guy who needs pity.
You've got strength, determination, and honor. Once you stop seeing
yourself through your wife's eyes, you'll realize you're king Arthur
start acting like it. I hit the showers afterward, letting
the warm water soothe my sore muscles. Jerry's words kept
replaying in my head. He was right. I had spent

(39:42):
too much time judging myself by other standards. I compared
myself to Lance because everyone else did. I believed Page's
view that I wasn't worth fighting for my worth at
work only felt real when it was validated by others.
But life isn't that simple. There's no formula for self worth.
You have to believe in it, even if others don't.
I needed to stop hearing Page's hurtful words and move on.

(40:04):
Weight loss alone wouldn't fix that. It had to come
from within. Later that night, I was jolted from a
deep sleep by my ringing phone. Groggily, I realized it
was four a m. And the caller was Lance. Annoyed,
I answered with a sarcastic what Lance, did I wake you?
He asked, sounding uncharacteristically nervous. You think I snapped, waking

(40:25):
up fully as I sent something off in his voice?
What's wrong? He hesitated, before blurting out, Julie's pregnant. I
frowned in confusion, asking who the hell is Julie? The
girl you met on our birthday? He reminded me. After
a moment, I recalled the young blonde cheerleader. I raised
an eyebrow, asking if she was even legal. Lance got defensive,

(40:47):
insisting she was twenty and had her own apartment. Did
you check her id? I teased, which only frustrated him more.
Do you always have to be such a smug frick?
He shot back. I retorted, do you always I have
to act like an irresponsible teenager? You're thirty five and
you got a twenty year old pregnant. Ever heard of protection?
His voice turned cold. You know what, art, get over yourself.

(41:10):
You think you're perfect, always looking down on me. You've
always been mom and Dad's favorite, the golden boy. Meanwhile,
I'm the screw up. I should have felt some sympathy,
but his whining only irritated me more. Spare me, Lance.
Everyone worships you, the football star. Mom and dad always
bail you out. But when my life falls apart, I'm
on my own. I was always the one being compared

(41:31):
to you, He snapped back, that's nonsense. Every time they
help me, they lecture me to be more like you,
and you you act like no one ever helps you.
But when your wife cheated, whose couch did you crash on?
Who ran? Interference? Me? I've always been there for you,
even back in high school when I fought off bullies
for you. So cut the crap about being all alone.

(41:52):
I was about to snap back at Lance, but then
I stopped. I actually listened to what he said, and
it hit me. It was right. Despite our fight and
my judgments, he was always there for me when things
got tough. I started to see things from his perspective.
While I was jealous of him growing up, I never
noticed how much my parents bragged about me because I
was too focused on how proud they were of him.

(42:13):
I always saw him as the tall, good looking guy
who had it easy, but from his view, after dropping
out of college, he constantly felt like a failure. Our
parents always stepped in to help him because they didn't
believe he could do it himself, which must have crushed
his self esteem. Now he was scared because he had
a baby on the way and felt incapable of handling it.

(42:33):
So he called me his twin brother, for support. And
what did I do. I treated him like crap. You're right, Lance,
I said, without sarcasm or malice. He wasn't expecting that
and was caught off guard. I took the chance to
elaborate You've always been there for me, no matter what.
You've always been the guy I lean on. Thanks, he replied,

(42:55):
still sounding confused. I switched the subject, asking so, how
far along long is she? His voice dropped as he
answered a couple of months. She just told me today. Damn,
are you two keeping it? Yeah? He said, the weight
of that decision heavy in his voice. How do you
feel about that? I asked? He paused before admitting, I'm scared, Art,

(43:18):
How do I raise a kid? I still live like one.
I'm not like you. Josh and Alli are lucky to
have a dad like you. What's my kid going to
think of me? I remembered having the same fears when
Page was pregnant. Lance, Stop comparing yourself to me. That's
the mistake I always made with you, believe it or not,
I've always been jealous of you, he gasped in surprise.

(43:40):
Stop nonsense etting me, Art, What the hell are you
jealous of You've got your crap together, especially now that
you've lost all that weight. I chuckled at the irony.
That's just it, Lance, Neither of us should be jealous
of the other. I'm working on fixing my insecurities. Why
can't you. If you want to be responsible, then be responsible.
If you ought to be a good dad, learn how

(44:01):
to be one. That's easy for you to say, he grumbled.
You're right, It is easy to say, but it takes work,
and if anyone can do it, you can. You're one
of the strongest people I know. I'd bet on you
any day, really, he asked, genuinely. Surprised, absolutely, and I
meant it. Lance might have been irresponsible at times, but
I always believed he'd outgrow it, and I had a

(44:22):
feeling that time was now. We talked for two more hours,
and the more we did, the more I believed he'd
be a great dad. He wasn't handling this situation like
everything else. He was worried thinking about how his actions
would affect his child. Isn't that what all good fathers do.
I shared my own parenting failures, hoping it would make
him feel less alone. Some stories made us laugh, others

(44:45):
were cautionary tales. I joked that fate would probably give
him a girl as karma, and he laughed at that.
I promised to be there for him in whatever way
he needed, and I meant it. By the time we
hung up the sun was rising. Something had shifted in
me during that conversation. I grew up a little. I
wasn't jealous of my brother anymore. It wasn't because I

(45:06):
realized he was as jealous of me as I was
of him. It was because I started seeing myself differently.
I was the responsible one, the smart one. Those were
qualities I should have been proud of. They were my
eighty percent, and I didn't need the other twenty percent.
I was fine just the way I was. I got
up and prepared for work, feeling better than I had
in a long time. Life moved at a steady pace

(45:28):
after that, weeks turned into months, and my outlook brightened.
The one downside was that Jerry felt like I didn't
need him anymore. My weight loss had been so successful
that there was no trace of my old self. But
the real reason he moved on was because I saw
myself differently. My confidence was up, and that had been
his main goal all along. Looking back, I saw how
calculated his plan was. The snarky comments, the tough workouts,

(45:52):
the relentless attitude. It was all to stop me from
seeing myself as a sufferer of fate's cruel joke. Honestly,
he was worth every penny I should have paid him.
During our final bittersweet workout, things with Colleen came to
a head. I got distracted when she walked by, and
Jerry noticed. You're going to just keep staring at her?
Or actually talk to her? He asked, with a knowing look.

(46:14):
I hadn't even realized I was staring until he pointed
it out. Sorry, Jerry, I'm getting back to lifting, I mumbled, quickly,
doing some arm curls and slamming the weights back on
the rack. Look art, he said cautiously. I'm not trying
to meddle, but it's obvious you want to talk to her.
Whatever happened, it can't be worth all this effort to
pretend she doesn't exist. I looked around, embarrassed. Am I

(46:36):
that obvious? Was that supposed to be subtle? He snickered.
Seeing my horrified expression, he added, just go talk to her.
I can't after what happens, She'll probably just laugh and
walk away, he shrugged. Then stop staring at her from
across the room. That's more effective. His smugness was infuriating,
but I knew he was right. I saw Colleen heading

(46:58):
to the locker room, and swallowing my fear, hurried to
catch her. Hey Colleen, I called out. She turned immediately,
looking uncomfortable as she stared at the floor. Hey, Arthur,
she said quickly. Her demeanor didn't inspire confidence, but I
pushed through the awkwardness. Have you been, I asked, my
voice betraying my nervousness. Pretty good, she replied, without meeting

(47:21):
my eyes. Gathering my courage, I said, listen, I was
hoping we could talk, you know, clear the air. She
nodded quickly. When did you want to talk? I took
a chance. Are you free now? Well, I need to
shower first, but we can talk after that. Okay, yeah, sure,
I replied, relieved. As she disappeared into the locker room,
I exhaled, glad I'd gotten through the awkward exchange. Jerry,

(47:44):
talking to Naomi nearby, gave me a thumbs up, signaling
his approval. After we both showered, we met at a
nearby golden corral. As we ate, I struggled to start
the conversation. Small talk filled the silence, but I could
see she was growing impatient. Finally, I took a deep breath.
I wanted to talk about that night, you know, when
things almost happened. She shifted, uncomfortably, shaking her head. You

(48:07):
don't have to explain. It's fine. It's not the first
time a man hasn't been attracted to me. I'm used
to it. My ex husband wasn't either. I'll get over it.
I was stunned. What yeah, she sighed with a sad smile.
He used to call me piggy and poke my stomach,
even in front of his friends. Tears welled up in

(48:28):
her eyes, and she tried to rush to the bathroom,
but I gently grabbed her hands. Colleen, you've got it
all wrong. She looked up, and my heart broke seeing
her pain. Your ex was an idiot. I don't know
what his problem was, but that's not how I feel.
I'm attracted to you. You're zexy, fun and beautiful. Then why,
she asked. I took a deep breath and told her everything,

(48:51):
my story, my fears, my past. She listened without interrupting.
When I finished, her reaction shocked me. She burst into
un controllable laughter. What are you laughing at? I asked, horrified,
This was exactly what I feared. She managed to stifle
her laughter and stop me from leaving. I'm not laughing
at you, she said, catching her breath. I'm laughing at

(49:14):
us this whole situation. Both of our spouses told us
we were fat, ugly, and bad in bed. Your ex
called you boring, too, I asked, chuckling. She nodded, trying
to suppress another laugh. Soon we were both laughing so
hard we couldn't stop ignoring the funny looks from people
around us. The conversation turned into a competition of who
had the worst insults from their ex. She won, though

(49:36):
only because her ex had been at it longer. At least,
Page kept her disdain hidden until the end. Well, today
turned out differently than I expected, she said, with a smile.
I worried I came on too strong and scared you away.
I really liked you and didn't want you to see
me like he did. For once. I wanted to feel zexy,
even if just for one night, so I went all

(49:56):
out when you didn't, you know, I felt like a failure,
I smiled back. I get it. I was so focused
on not being what Page said I was that I
ended up proving her right. Talking to Colleen felt different.
It was comforting to share with someone who had gone
through the same rejection. I didn't feel so alone. So
what do two so called losers who are bad in

(50:17):
bed do together? I joked, own it, she replied with
a grin. Then with mock seriousness, she added, Hi, my
name is Colleen, and I'm bad in bed. Hi, Colleen,
I said, trying not to laugh. As we sat together,
I realized how much we had in common. Despite all
the bad things life throws at us, sometimes it surprises
you with something good. You just have to be open

(50:38):
to it. How about this, I suggested, Let's forget proving
our exes wrong. Let's go out again. No pressure, no expectations,
just have fun and get to know each other. She
smiled brightly. I like that. No pressure, just fun. Then
she added with a playful smirk, and if we happened
to sleep together, so be it. I nearly fell out

(50:59):
of my chair laughing, but her words sparked something in me.
I felt more relaxed and connected to her. Yeah, if
it happens, it happens, I joked, crossing my fingers. We
clinked our cups in a toast, unaware that someone familiar
was watching us. By the time I noticed she had
already left. I wouldn't learn about this until weeks later.
Why does page make everything so difficult, I thought, as

(51:21):
I stood in her bedroom doorway, trying not to lose
my cool. Every time I tried to move forward, another
obstacle appeared. She was dragging her feet on signing the
divorce papers, and it was frustrating. We'd talked about it
numerous times, but she always brushed it off like it
didn't matter. Her indifferent attitude made me angry. I was
fed up with being tied to her. Even when I

(51:42):
tried to move on, her words haunted me. I wanted
her out of my life, but as always, it had
to happen on her terms page. What's the problem, I
asked impatiently, as she sat in bed, putting on lotion
like I wasn't even there. She had the nerve to
look smug and new lingerie that her boyfriend probably bought.
You can't expect me to sign papers without a lawyer

(52:02):
looking them over, she said condescendingly. They've been on your
dresser for a month. How can my lawyer review them
if I don't have them, she looked, exasperated. I haven't
found a lawyer yet. Artie. When I do, I'll give
them to him. Now calm down, you'll wake the kids.
Sit down, relax, you look stressed, she said, patting the bed.
I counted to five, trying not to explode. What do

(52:25):
you mean you haven't found a lawyer yet? She looked,
surprised by my tone. I wasn't expecting you to just
drop the papers on me. I thought we'd talk about
it first. I'm pretty sure we covered everything when you
called me a fat, boring loser who's bad in bed, Artie,
she whined, gearing up for another round of the same
old argument. I was tired of it, so I steered

(52:45):
the conversation back on track. When do you plan on
getting a lawyer? Have you even been looking? Instead of answering,
she turned it around on me. Why the sudden rush.
You didn't seem to care before. Are you kidding me?
You're the one who wanted this divorce. You found me
so repulsive that you sought out other men. Now I'm
giving you what you want, and you're making it hard

(53:05):
for me. Why her haughty attitude softened. I'm not trying
to make this difficult for you, she said, genuinely, and
maybe she was telling the truth. She'd never intentionally made
things harder during our separation, but trust was in short supply.
Then sign the papers. They're as fair as I could
make them, she hesitated. I just think we should talk first. No, Page,

(53:26):
there's nothing left to discuss, I snapped. My Patien's gone.
She fell silent, Realizing that yelling wouldn't help. I took
a deep breath. Look, I'm not trying to screw you over.
I'm just trying to move on. But I can't do
that with the weight of our marriage holding me down.
It's too much. I didn't mean to be that honest,
but the words just came out. When I looked at her,
I saw her eyes welling up. I'm sorry, Artie, I've

(53:49):
been really terrible to you, she admitted. I didn't respond,
just listened. When she realized I wasn't saying anything, she asked,
can you ever forgive me? Could I really forgive her?
Could I move past that day that seemed to define everything?
Over time, the pain faded, and that day became just
a few paragraphs in my past. I do forgive you, page,

(54:10):
I said, She smiled, relieved, Really, she asked, yes. Now,
I just want to move forward. Relief washed over her face.
That's all I've wanted to know, you forgive me. Feeling
positive about our conversation, I added, great, now you can
sign the papers with a clear conscience. Her smile faded
into disappointment and then anger, Wait, are you just saying

(54:33):
what I want to hear to get me to sign?
I was taken aback what she stood close, The scent
of eucalyptus lotion strong. Who is she? She demanded, glaring
at me. Who I asked, still confused, stepping back as
she closed the gap, The woman you've been seeing Colleen?
Who is she? I wondered how she knew about Colleen?

(54:53):
Then it hit me she was jealous. The audacity of
it made me laugh, which only fueled her anger. Is
this fun you? She snapped, Yeah, it is. The hypocrisy
is pretty hilarious. She ignored my remark. Who is she?
She repeated. I didn't know her an answer, but I
gave her one some when I met at the gym.
Her response was dripping with irony. The gem, of course,

(55:16):
how do you know about her? I countered, shifting the focus,
She hesitated, then admitted, I saw you at Golden Corral
a few weeks ago, laughing with her, I got curious,
so I went through your phone. You went through my phone,
I gasped, feeling violated. She wasn't my wife anymore. Yeah,
I saw texts from a woman named Colleen and connected

(55:36):
the dots. I almost got indignant, but remembered my own snooping. Instead,
I shrugged, What does it matter? We're separated, you're with Derek.
Did you expect me to stay celibate while you enjoyed
being single? Her anger flickered, but faded quickly. She seemed
to realize her own hypocrisy. I guess I didn't think
about you with someone else, she admitted, softly, a hint

(55:58):
of sadness in her voice. Stead of feeling vindicated, I
felt offended. Oh so, because you didn't want me, you
thought no one else would. I shot back, you're putting
words in my mouth. She defended. Your actions speak for themselves,
I countered. She almost argued, but stopped herself. Then, in
a quieter tone, she confessed, you're right, Artie. I didn't

(56:20):
think another woman would be interested, but now that you've
lost weight. She didn't finish, but the message was clear.
When I was overweight, she didn't worry about other women
now that I was fit and attractive. It was a problem.
Too bad. It doesn't matter page you're with Derek. You
don't have the right to be jealous. A shadow crossed

(56:40):
her face as she admitted Derek and I broke up
a while ago. She tried to sound casual, but her
expression revealed something deeper. I didn't know how to respond.
I didn't want to gloat or offer fake sympathy, so
I simply asked why. She looked like she wanted to vent,
but held back. People meet, have fun, and then it's over.
Not everyone rides off into the sunset, she sighed, sitting

(57:04):
on the bed, staring at the floor. We were supposed to,
I said, quietly, realizing too late that I'd spoken aloud. Yeah,
we were, She agreed, her eyes glistening. But somewhere along
the way we lost the connection. It became all chores,
bills and work. A tear slipped down her cheek. Then
I messed up, and now everything's ruined. The twins are struggling,

(57:24):
and I'm stuck looking at old photos, wishing I could
go back. Derek wasn't our problem, we were. He was
just a symptom of the deeper issues in our marriage.
I sat beside her. We both let things slip, but
we can only move forward from here. She turned to me,
and the look in her eyes was one I hadn't
seen in a long time. It was almost as if
she was seeing me for the first time again. She

(57:47):
took a deep breath, grabbed my hand and said, I
made a mistake, giving up on us on you Page.
I began trying to pull my hand away, but she
held on tight. Her eyes seemed to search my soul,
a mix of a motions playing across her face. Then,
as if making a sudden decision, she grabbed my face
and kissed me. Her hands, once familiar, now pushed me

(58:07):
back onto the bed. Page. What are you doing, I asked, confused, Artie,
don't talk, just do this with me. She whispered, a
coy smile on her face as she kissed my neck.
I almost gave in, but then Derek's image flashed in
my mind, a reminder of our broken relationship. No, I said, firmly,
gently pushing her away. She fell back on the bed, Surprised,

(58:28):
Arty No, she started, but I interrupted, jumping up like
the bed was on fire. You can't keep doing this
to me, Paige. I'm not your backup plan. You can't
just come back when things don't work out with your boyfriend.
You threw me away, and you don't get to change
your mind now. She sat silently thinking, Then in a
soft voice, she asked, do you still love me? I hesitated,

(58:53):
caught off guard by the question. My response should have
been easy after everything she'd put me through, but it wasn't.
Seeing my hesitation as hope, she approached me, holding both
my hands. Be honest with yourself. Don't let pride answer
for you. I thought about our past, the dates, the wedding,
the birth of our twins. I realized I did love

(59:15):
that version of Page. But this page, the one who
had hurt me so deeply, was different. Yet they were
the same person. It was a complicated feeling, but I
knew my answer. No, I don't page, not that way,
not anymore. The weight of those words hung in the air.
The phrase that had once crushed me now left her devastated.
Tears streamed down her face as she backed away from me,

(59:37):
like I was a stranger. She sat on the bed
and cried, and I felt for her. I knew that
pain all too well. You're lying, she said, refusing to
believe me. I know you still love me. I'm sorry,
but I don't, I said gently. Too much has happened.
Her sobs filled the room, and I didn't know what
to do, comfort her, stand there or leave. In the end,

(59:58):
I just stood there, letting her pross her emotions. After
a few minutes, she wiped her tears and looked at
me with a mix of anger and sadness. You're enjoying this,
aren't you. What? No, you're telling me you don't love
putting me in my place after what I did, she accused,
her words laced with bitterness. Her words stung, but I
reflected for a moment. While I didn't enjoy her suffering,

(01:00:19):
there was a sense of justice in the air. After
everything she'd put me through, it felt like the scales
had finally balanced. Fine, I said, calmly. Let's say I
did enjoy it. Could you blame me? She looked, ready
to argue, but I raised my hand to stop her.
Just listen. You gave up on me page, you cheated, ridiculed,
and asked for a divorce, but I still stood by you.

(01:00:40):
I didn't expose you to the kids or make the
divorce messy. I let you live your life with Derek
without complaining. Even after all that, you didn't find anything
worth fighting for in me. But now, after I lose
a few pounds, suddenly you do. It's not just the weight,
she cut in quickly. Yes, I'm more attracted to you now,
but it's more than that. You're different, more confident, you

(01:01:00):
go out and do things. This is the you I've
been wanting all along. That last sentence hit me hard.
She wanted me to be someone else because who I
was hadn't been enough for her. She still didn't get it,
and I doubted she ever would. I could have argued
with her about how selfish and flawed her logic was,
expecting me to change without giving us a chance, But

(01:01:21):
what was the point. I no longer needed her to
see things from my perspective. For the first time, I
truly didn't care what she thought. I was finally free.
Do us both a favorite page, I said, firmly, sign
the papers. Dragging this out isn't helping either of us.
Without waiting for a response, I left the room, hearing
her cry as I walked away. Six months later, it

(01:01:43):
was official. The divorce papers in my hand were the
only reminder of my life with Page, aside from the
two kids now arguing over the remote in the living room. Josh, Ally,
don't make me come out there, I called from my bedroom.
Their shouting turned into hushed bickering. I sighed, refolding the
docum and slipping them back into the envelope. No matter
how much you've moved on, the finality of divorce stings.

(01:02:06):
It's the closing of a chapter, a bittersweet mix of
pain and a fresh start. My phone buzzed with a
message from Colleen. What are you up to, lover? I
smiled and texted back, thinking of you can't wait to
see you again. Last night had been our first time together,
and the memories brought a grin to my face. We
had taken things slow, dating, spending time at each other's places,

(01:02:27):
even introducing our kids. Page had been the only one
to make a big deal out of it, citing our
agreement to keep our relationships away from the kids. Technically
she was right, but we both knew what really bothered her.
I had apologized and promised not to do it again
until we were officially divorced, and that day had finally arrived.
I can't wait to see you either, I replied, remembering

(01:02:49):
the warmth of her body against mine. Her ex husband
must have been crazy to call her boring. Later, I
dropped the kids off at Pages. Her puffy eyes told
me she had received the same papers. We made brief
eye contact before the kids chatter pulled her attention. She
gave me a weak smile and closed the door. Driving
to my brother's place, I reflected on life. I'd been

(01:03:10):
spending more time with Lance lately, supporting him as he
navigated a significant change in his life. Today was Julie's
baby shower, and though Lance wanted to be there, he
didn't want to be the only guy, so he asked
me to join him. I rearranged my schedule to back
him up. I rearranged my schedule to back him up.
When I arrived, my mom greeted me with a big

(01:03:30):
smile and a hug. Hey art, ladies, it's my other son,
the newly single one, she called out, and I blushed
as the room cheered. After dropping off my gift, I
found Julie on the couch. Hey, Preger's, how's my nephew,
I joked. She giggled we don't know yet. It could
be your niece. Lance interrupted, it's a nephew, and I laughed,

(01:03:53):
teasing him about Karma possibly giving him a daughter. As
the shower wrapped up, I stayed to help clean up.
Mom watched me curiously, then said, there's something different about
you lately. I can't explain it, but I like it. Thanks, Mom,
I replied. She continued, When I heard Julie was having
Lance's baby, I worried about him. He's not like you.

(01:04:14):
We never had to worry about you. You were always
going to be okay. But Lance, he's different. Mom, Lance
is stronger than you think. He'll be fine, I reassured her.
She smiled, tears in her eyes. I know. I'm proud
of both of you. She hugged me tightly. When Lance returned,
the cleanup was nearly done, and I left, excited for
my date with Colleen. As I started my car, the

(01:04:36):
setting sun's glare made me pull down the visor. I
caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the real me.
Not just a man who had lost wage or improved
his looks, but someone responsible, loving, smart, hard working, and
a good father. I saw a man who genuinely wanted
to be good and worked hard for it. That was
the real man in the mirror.