It started six weeks ago, subtle at first, small, almost imperceptible shifts in his behavior. A missing gesture, a new distance in his movements. You didn't register the change right away. But the late nights got longer, the excuses grew more elaborate, and when he finally lied straight to your face like it was nothing, you knew.

You had built a family with him, raising two children together. Yet, even they weren't blind. They knew their dad was different. The proof came this morning: a tearful confession about a trip to the grocery store. They saw him with her, saw the way his hand lingered, saw the smile that hadn't been for them in months. When they told you, your heart didn't just break; it shattered. Because you knew that woman.

She was his coworker. An old friend. How could you possibly confront him? How could you ask without him deflecting it as a long-standing, innocent connection? And if you were truly honest, you didn't want the question because you dreaded the answer. You didn't want to know if he still loved you. You didn't want to hear from his own voice that you were no longer enough.

That night, you were already in bed, the sheets pulled up to your chest, waiting. You saw him emerge from the bathroom, fully dressed, ready to go out. He stood before the mirror, spritzing cologne onto his neck, a final preparation he didn't even spare you a glance for.

"Where are you going?" you asked, pushing the covers away to stand.

"Voy a salir. Don't wait up," he replied, already reaching for his car keys.

"Where?" you pressed, following him into the living room.

"Out with some friends. Don't worry about it. Just rest. I might be late, or I might crash at Santiago's." He swung his jacket over one shoulder.

The words were a blunt force before you could stop them.

"Are you staying with her?"

Frankie stopped. He took a long, deep breath before slowly turning to face you. He saw it all in your eyes: the exhaustion, the certainty, the searing betrayal. You knew.

"I'm going out with friends," he repeated, his eyes fixed just past your shoulder, completely ignoring your question.