Tears streamed down Michelle's face as she tried to walk away, but Simon quickly grabbed her back into his arms.
"Of course I love you," he assured her, his voice earnest. "I was just preoccupied with work issues."
"That's a lie!" Michelle yelled, anger adding fuel to her voice as she pounded her fists against him.
He held her tighter, speaking softly, "I'm telling the truth. Please, getting upset isn't good for you."
Simon's embrace was firm, yet within him, a tumult of guilt and sorrow churned.
He had devoted the last eight years to winning her heart. How could his heart stray elsewhere?
Yet, it was merely a fleeting distraction.
An illusion.
Swallowing the emotions that threatened to surface, Simon spent what felt like forever soothing Michelle's turmoil.
But deep inside, an ac
