Was it Worth It?

A year has passed since I broke up with Darius. I’m still madly in love with him and will be for the rest of my life. I think about him all of the time and wonder how he is doing. Then, this morning, Michael called and told me that his aunt Vanessa had divorced his uncle Darius. The news shocked me. I had to find out why. I asked Michael to meet me outside of the university’s library. We went for a walk in the park nearby.

“Why did your aunt divorce your uncle?” I asked.

“She found out that he had been having an affair.”

My heart lurched. “How–how did she find out?”

“They had a talk and he admitted it.”

“Did–did he tell her who it was?”

“Well, they had broken up but it was a student.”

“A student?”

“Yes. A student from Columbia. Can you believe it? Poor aunt Vanessa. Imagine your husband falling in love with someone else after eight years of marriage. I always thought that they were so happy together. Well, it’s a good thing they don’t have any kids. They don’t have to worry about custody and visitation rights and that sort of thing. What’s the matter, Rhoda? You don’t look too good. Have you skipped lunch again?”

“Michael, let’s sit here.”

“All right.”

“I–I have something very important to tell you. It will come as-as a shock.”

He looked very concerned now. “What is it?”

“The student that your-your uncle was having the affair with, I-I know who she is.”

His eyebrows rose. “You do? Who is she? I’d see this person who destroyed my aunt’s marriage.

“It’s-it’s me. I’m-I’m the student.”

His face went pale. “You, Rhoda.” Then, he started shaking his head. “No, it can’t be.”

“I’m sorry, Michael. Darius and I were having an affair for half of last year before I ended it.”

Michael’s face suffused with color as rage replaced shock. “How could you, Rhoda? He was married to my aunt.”

“I didn’t know that his wife was your aunt until you introduced us at your grandparents’ anniversary dinner.”

“So, that’s why you were acting so strange.”

“I didn’t expect to see him there but when you introduced him as your uncle, it was too much.”

“How long were you and he–?”

“Six months. I broke up with him.”

“Why, because of your guilty conscience?”

“Yes.”

“Since you and I started dating, I never looked at another girl. You were the one I wanted to be with. I was saving myself for you–for when we got married. And all this time, you have been giving yourself to my uncle. Damn you, Ro!” He jumped to his feet and began to pace up and down, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

My heart was breaking. I felt awful. “I’m sorry, Michael. I never meant to hurt you.”

“How does it feel to responsible for wrecking a marriage? Was it worth it?”

“Michael, the last thing I wanted to do was to break up your aunt’s marriage. I didn’t plan on meeting and falling in love with Darius. It just happened.”

“Did you know that he was married when you met?”

“Yes.”

“And still you got involved with him. Doesn’t the Bible teach about adultery? How could you call yourself a Christian when you were having an affair with a married man? You’re a hypocrite, Ro. And as far as you and I are concerned, we’re through. Uncle Darius is a free man now. You can pick up where you left off. You deserve each other. Goodbye.” The look he gave me was one of disgust before he turned and walked away.

I sat there, numb and devastated because I had hurt a sweet guy who loved me and wanted to marry me. I never had the courage to tell him that I didn’t love him or that I wasn’t going to marry him. Still, I hadn’t wanted things to end like this between us. I had succeeded in making him hate and despise me. Was it worth it? I closed my eyes and whispered under my breath, “Yes, it was.” Darius was worth it. And now that he was no longer married, I could be with him again.

I took out my cell and dialed his number. He answered on the first ring. “Hello, Darius.”

Adultery destroys relationships and people. It destroys trust. No man or woman is worth the demise of your marriage.

This story is the sequel for The Confession.