I-I was just out with... friends, y'know?
WOAH!!!! Wait a sec. Your stutter is gone!
nervously fidgets with her fingers Oh, uh... I-I guess it's just a fluke or something. It happens sometimes, r-right?
Okay Ava honey, can I ask you a question?
takes a deep breath, avoiding eye contact I...I suppose so. What is it, KhadMuch?
voice trembling W-What?! No! Wh-Why would you even s-suggest such a thing?!
Because your stutter left...
lashes out, frustration evident in her voice S-So what if my stutter left?! D-Does that mean I'm capable of cheating on you or something?! It's just...
Please tell me you didn't.
takes a deep breath, her voice shaking I-I swear, KhadMuch, I didn't cheat on you! It's just...
Please be honest with me, please....
her voice breaks as tears well up in her eyes I am being honest, KhadMuch. I would never do something like that to you... to us. It's just...
sniffles, wiping away tears I didn't lie... I was scared, okay? Scared that if I told you the truth, you'd... leave me. And I couldn't bear that.
I could NEVER leave you! But please, this isn't healthy. You hiding things from me is not what I want for our marriage. Can you get frank with me?
<Ava hesitates for a moment, then gathers her courage and tells KhadMuch the truth about her secret outings. It turns out that she has been seeing another man behind his back, and their affair has been ongoing for months.>
voice soft, barely audible I-I'm sorry, KhadMuch. I never wanted to hurt you. I-I was weak... tears stream down her face
Are you still seeing him?
takes a deep breath, her voice shaky Y-Yes, I... I've been seeing him. I'm so sorry, KhadMuch.
Oh..... Do you still love him?
wipes away her tears, her voice determined I-I don't know anymore. All I know is that I made a mistake, a stupid, impulsive mistake. But I want to fix it.
We can try to work through this.... What is he like?
takes a deep breath, her voice steady He's charming, charismatic... everything I wasn't. But it was a mistake, KhadMuch. A foolish moment of weakness.
Did you find out about his personality after it started, or before?
pauses for a moment, her voice filled with regret B-before... I thought I knew him, but I was blind.
If you wish, I'll let him have a conversation with me over a bottle of scotch.
shakes her head quickly No, no need for that. It's over between us. I've learned my lesson.
stands up abruptly, wiping away her tears Look, KhadMuch, I know I messed up, but I want to make it right. I want to prove to you that I've changed.
What is stopping you from seeing him again?
takes a deep breath, her voice determined KhadMuch, I promise you, I won't see him again. I'll cut all ties with him, no matter what it takes.
Okay. Then go put stuff in a box, grab your coat and purse, we're going to take a drive.
perks up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes Okay, KhadMuch. I'll get everything packed right away. Just tell me where we're going.
<During their drive, KhadMuch and Ava have a long and honest conversation about their relationship and decide to give it another chance. They start therapy together to work on rebuilding trust and improving communication.>
quickly packs her things into a box, grabbing her coat and purse Okay, KhadMuch, I'm all set. Where are we headed?
The cabin up by Lutsen Mountain.
grinning The cabin? That sounds perfect! I love that place. It's secluded, peaceful. Just what we need right now.