The Man You Couldn’t Forget

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my wife left me for the man she could never forget.

"Winston's raising a child on his own. You know that being a single father isn't easy. Besides, you're both men, can't you cut him some slack?"

Not only was I willing to "cut him some slack," but I was also willing to step aside completely. I was willing to be the bigger man so the two of them could raise that child together.

I packed my things and left, taking the initiative to apply for an overseas program in architecture.

To my confusion, she came running to me, crying and begging me not to go. Still, it was too little, too late.

Anniversary in Ruins

When Irene Weatherby chose Winston Montrose over me once more, I grabbed her sleeve. "Do you really have to go? It's our fifth wedding anniversary today."

"Keith, please be reasonable. Winston's raising a child on his own. You know how hard it is to be a single father. The kid has a high fever right now; he can't afford to wait." She sounded impatient as she pried my hand off.

I sneered. Funny how that kid always managed to fall sick at the most convenient times.

"The kid isn't even yours, so why is he always calling you instead of someone else? I swear, Irene, if you walk out that door today, we're getting divorced tomorrow!"

Irene snapped, "Do whatever you want! Don't use that to threaten me! You're a heartless monster! No one would want you, especially after we get that divorce!"

Fury surged through me. The moment she turned to open the door, I flipped the table over with a violent shove. The candlelit dinner I had prepared for the occasion crashed to the floor in a complete mess.

Irene froze. "Have you lost your mind? How did I ever end up marrying someone so emotionally unstable?"

I stormed out of the house, raising my voice. "Yeah! I've lost my mind! What kind of married woman runs to another man's house every single day?"

As I spoke, I strode straight to Winston's door and pounded on it hard. "Winston Montrose! If you've got the guts to steal someone else's wife, then come out here and face me!"

The noise drew the neighbors out. I could see heads pop out from doorways as they gathered to watch the scene unfold. Irene's face flushed red in an instant.

Winston slowly opened the door, keeping his head down. He only dared to show half his body as if he were afraid. "Keith… don't misunderstand. The child's really sick. I lack experience, so I don't know how to take care of him properly. Irene's the only one we can rely on."

I grabbed him and dragged him out of the doorway. "Your kid sure knows how to pick the perfect timing! Last month, he got sick on the one day Irene finally had time off to watch a movie with me.