Darius looked wounded.
“I wanted you.”
“I know.”
“Apparently not enough.”
“Darius.”
“No. Explain it.”
Simone forced herself to continue.
“With you, everything had become real.”
He stared.
“Bills. Wedding decisions. Work schedules. Family. Everything.”
“And Devon?”
“There were no responsibilities.”
Darius nodded slowly.
“So I was real life.”
“Yes.”
“And he was escape.”
“Yes.”
“And rather than decide which one you wanted, you kept both.”
She covered her face.
“Yes.”
The honesty hurt.
But it was the first honest answer that made sense.
Darius sat down.
Simone remained standing.
After a minute, he asked, “Did you ever love him?”
“I thought maybe.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know.”
Darius nodded.
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“I believe you.”
Simone seemed surprised.
He continued.
“That doesn’t fix anything.”
Her hope disappeared.
“I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do.”
He stood.
“For two days, I kept asking myself how somebody could love me and do this.”
Simone cried silently.
“Then I realized love doesn’t automatically make somebody honest.”
He looked toward the packed bags.
“People can love you and still be selfish.”
She lowered her head.
“People can love you and still choose themselves over you.”
Darius swallowed.
“And I can believe you love me without trusting you enough to marry you.”
Simone whispered, “Please don’t decide yet.”
“I already did.”
Her face changed.
Darius walked toward the kitchen counter.
He opened a drawer.
Inside was the folder containing their venue contract.
He placed it on the table.
“The wedding is canceled.”
Simone sat down slowly.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Darius, please.”
“I’m not marrying you in four months.”
“We can postpone.”
“No.”
“Counseling.”
“Maybe you need counseling.”
Her face fell.
“I probably do.”
“So do I.”
Darius looked at her.
“But couples counseling is for people trying to build a relationship together.”
He paused.
“I don’t know if I want one with you.”
Simone began sobbing.
Darius fought the instinct to comfort her.
For almost five years, comforting Simone had been automatic.
Now his body wanted to do something his mind could not permit.
She whispered, “What am I supposed to tell everyone?”
Darius stared.
“The truth.”
Her eyes widened.
“You want everybody to know?”
“I don’t care what everybody knows.”
“My mother…”
“Tell her whatever you want.”
He shook his head.
“I’m done managing consequences for choices I didn’t make.”
Simone looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
Darius believed her.
That surprised him.
She was sorry.
Truly.
It simply was not enough.
Simone moved out that evening.
Nia came over afterward.
She found Darius sitting on the floor in the living room surrounded by wedding boxes.
Programs.
Color samples.
Vendor contracts.
A binder Simone had labeled COLEMAN WEDDING even though she had planned to keep her own last name.
Nia sat beside him.