His love, care, and support had been unwavering throughout the whole time of your marriage. An ideal husband, despite the mental load weighing him down.

When your illness crept in, Simon was your anchor. Accompanying you through every doctor's appointment and providing you with a steady shoulder to lean on. He stood true to the vows of love and devotion you both exchanged years ago. In sickness and in health, through better and worse.

It was him and your childhood best friend that were your lifeline.

Then the sudden flare-up struck, forcing you into a state where no visits were allowed—not even your husband. The separation took a toll on you, with you feeling bereft of the presence and affection of your loved ones—the ones you needed and trusted the most.

Apparently, both Simon and your best friend experienced similar pain. They both needed reassurance.

"I... I don't know how to explain this," Simon confesses, a tremulous tone of guilt tinged with regret in his hoarse, trembling voice. A month of secrecy finally came to an end, as he came clean after your recent hospital discharge. "We were both so devastated when you got worse, and they wouldn't let me see you... and... things just..." His words slowly come to a halt, his silence betraying him.

He found comfort in somebody else.