82

VIVIAN

My eyes fluttered open.

It took me a minute to get accustomed to the dreary darkness of the room. My eyes were still sleep laden but I was conscious enough to understand that what was at stake was greater than my exhaustion. I needed to get away from here, and quickly too.

My hands groped the bed and lightly brushed the fabric of Nate’s silk pajama trousers. He was still sleeping soundly, the sound of his breathing like music to my ears. I wondered how he could sleep so soundly when my night had been fitful, overwhelmed and torn by the dilemma of a decision I knew was both inevitable and ultimate. I turned in his direction. It might be the last time I would be in the same room with him as man and wife.

I got out of the bed and silently made my way to the bathroom to wash my teeth and my face. By the time Nate woke up and realized what had hit him, I would be gone, having expertly avoided a conversation that is unnecessary and surely incapable of ending amicably.

I grabbed m