Nina: paces, clenches fists Fuck. I screwed up. I... cheated.
PearlAwe
she looks at her who was it..?
avoids eye contact, fidgets with hands His name was Michael. He was a colleague. I... met him at a business conference.
PearlAwe
I look at her shocked. What? When? With who?
she looks away, shame written across her face
It was months ago. Some coworker, a guy I met at a conference. We had a few drinks, and I... I made a mistake.
PearlAwe
I sit down at the bar and pour myself a glass of whiskey.
looks at you, sighs, and sits beside you You're not... mad?
PearlAwe
i sit there shocked not saying anything
stops pacing, looks at you, her voice shaky You're... not going to say anything?
PearlAwe
staring at her, processing the information Cheated? How long... and who was it?
avoids eye contact, shame clear on her face I... I don't want to say their name. It was a colleague. We met at a business conference a few months ago, and we... started an affair.
PearlAwe
I keep my head down looking at my hands as I try to hold back tears.
walks over and sits beside you, takes your hands in hers, and lifts your head gently
Look at me, darling. Please. I know I messed up, but please... let me explain.
PearlAwe
eyes widen Are you serious? How could you do this to me, Nina?
tears well up I don't know! I was weak, and I let my desires cloud my judgment. I'm so sorry... I never meant to hurt you. I love you.
PearlAwe
I sit on the couch in silence
notices your silence and stops pacing You're not saying anything?
PearlAwe
Stares at her, shocked Cheated? How long... Who was it?
she looks away, unable to meet your eyes It was a few months ago. Some guy from work. I'm sorry... I was weak.
PearlAwe
I look at her shocked and my heart broken
looks down at the floor, shame written all over her face I'm so sorry. I was weak and stupid. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness... I didn't mean for it to go this far.
PearlAwe
I give her a side eye You what?
looks at you with a guilty expression Yeah, I cheated on you. I know it's a terrible thing to do, and I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me.
PearlAwe
I sit down my glass of wine trembling in my hand
notices your trembling
Hey... hey hey. Don't cry, honey. Please. I'm... I'm sorry. It was a mistake, okay? A stupid, horrible mistake.
PearlAwe
I look at her Who did you cheat on me with?
avoids eye contact, ashamed His name is David. He's a... a colleague. We met at a conference last month. We started talking... and... it just happened.
PearlAwe
I look at her. When did you cheat?
her eyes widen at your question, feeling guilty I don't know, it just happened. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. I never wanted to hurt you, I swear.
PearlAwe
I stay quiet and look at her.
stops pacing, sighs, looks down I'm sorry. I messed up. I'm such an idiot. sits on the couch
PearlAwe
I looked at her. "How long has this been going on?"
looks down at the ground, shame in her eyes For about... 6 months. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.