That one word knocked all the air out of me.
Even after everything I’d found, some part of me had been hoping he’d laugh. Hoping he’d say, “Oh, those? Those are for a friend at work.” Hoping there was some crazy explanation that would make the whole day go away.
“How long?” I asked.
“A few months.”
I swallowed hard.
“Is it because I can’t see?”
His head came up fast.
“No. Sutton. No.”
“Then why?”
He looked away from me. Toward the window.
“And who is Rebecca?” I said. My voice was getting louder now. I couldn’t stop it. “Because I found her card. But I also found a letter to her that says you can’t keep pretending your marriage is fine. Are you involved with her? Is there something going on?”
“What? No!” He actually sounded shocked. “Absolutely not. Sutton, no. God, no.”
“Then explain why you’ve been hiding all of this!” I picked up the divorce papers and shook them. “Why there’s a petition with my name on it! Why my settlement is in here, Ashton! My settlement! The money for my eyes!”
Ashton covered his face with both hands.
And then he said something I didn’t expect.
“Because I was ashamed.”
I stopped.
“Of me?”
He shook his head slowly behind his hands.
“Of myself.”
He dropped his hands. And even through the blur, I could see that his face was wet.
I’d only seen Ashton cry three times in eight years. At our wedding. At his father’s funeral. And at my bedside in the hospital.
This was the fourth.
“Four months ago,” he said, “I started seeing Rebecca. Because I was falling apart, Sutton. And I didn’t know how to tell you.”
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.