Had he made her feel invisible?
Maybe.
But guilt did not erase betrayal.
Caleb lowered the phone.
He no longer wanted to hear more.
He stepped into the doorway.
“Then maybe you should’ve told me.”
Nia froze.
Isaiah turned.
The color drained from Nia’s face.
“Caleb?”
Nobody moved.
Caleb looked at Isaiah.
Then at Nia.
Nia opened her mouth.
No words came out.
Caleb’s voice was disturbingly calm.
“Go ahead.”
Nia shook her head.
“You’re supposed to be—”
“In Chicago?”
Her eyes widened.
Caleb laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“Yeah. Funny thing happened. Meeting got canceled.”
Isaiah stepped forward.
“Caleb—”
“Don’t.”
Isaiah stopped.
Caleb looked at him.
“I don’t want to hear one word from you right now.”
“Fair enough.”
“Get out of my house.”
Isaiah nodded.
Nia turned toward him.
“Isaiah.”
Caleb looked sharply at her.
“Do not stop him.”
Nia fell silent.
Isaiah walked toward the hallway.
As he passed Caleb, he paused.
Caleb stared straight ahead.
Isaiah spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
Caleb finally looked at him.
“No, you’re sorry I walked through the door.”
Isaiah absorbed the accusation without responding.
Then he left.
Seconds later, the front door closed.
Caleb and Nia stood alone.
Nine years of marriage hung in the space between them.
Nia began crying.
Caleb hated that part of himself still wanted to comfort her.
He remained where he was.
“How long?”
Nia wiped her face.
“Caleb, please.”
“How long?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Nothing about that question is complicated.”
Nia looked down.
“Three months.”
Caleb nodded slowly.
“Three months.”
“It wasn’t—”
“Be careful with the next sentence.”
Nia stopped.
Caleb stepped farther into the room.
“You stood right there this morning and kissed me.”
“I know.”
“You told me to have a safe flight.”
“I know.”
“You watched me drive away.”
Nia covered her mouth.
“And then what?”
Caleb pointed toward the front door.
“How long did you wait before you called him inside?”
Nia cried harder.
Caleb’s voice rose for the first time.
“How long?”
“Caleb—”
“Five minutes? Two? Was I even off the street?”
“I’m sorry.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I’m sorry.”
Caleb shook his head.
He walked toward the kitchen and gripped the counter.
His hands were trembling.
Nia followed slowly.