When Secrets Unfold
“What? How? When?”
The sommelier approaches with our waters, pouring them into our glasses while pretending not to notice my tear-streaked face and the tense atmosphere. How did my husband know everything? How? I couldn't comprehend...
“Africa,” Carlos reveals, withdrawing his hand from mine and then sliding his fingers through the cutlery without looking at me. “You always had the terrible habit of leaving your things open. When you traveled, I decided to use the home computer for work... I saw it all. Your conversations, your emails, you're asking him to call you...”
“Why didn't you...?”
“Why didn't I tell you? Or why didn't I leave you when I found out?” Carlos questions, thoughtful. “Simple, I loved you, Dália. When I read everything, I felt guilty. I threw you into his arms, but I wasn't ready to lose you... Give up on you. I was sincere when I showed up in Africa. I really wanted to be the husband you deserved, because if I could manage that, I knew I'd forget that man once and for all. However, I couldn't keep that promise and threw you into his arms again... When I had an affair with Duny and realized I was losing you... I came back... I saw you at the airport... I was in a taxi and saw you entering the airport... I went to your mother, who said you had decided to come after me, but when I called the airlines looking for your name on flights to Portugal, you weren't on any flight. That's when I realized I had lost you... All I could do was go home and gather my things, but I ended up finding you there. I thanked God for that chance. However, fate doesn't seem to want us to be together, because when I kissed Duny and came back here... I went after you. I went to his house...”
“You were there...”
“I was.” Carlos confirms, looking at me. “I left as soon as I understood what was going on.”
“Why didn't you tell me when I got home?”
“Would it have changed anything?”
“It would have changed everything. I would have had the chance to explain that time wasn't what you thought...”
“I heard you, your moans... I heard my wife's moans that were meant only for me being offered to the same man I had been competing against all those years. I handed you over on a silver platter and hadn't even noticed. The signs were all there, and I only saw them when I heard you with him...”
“Believe me, things aren't quite as you're imagining...”
“Dália, please don't say you felt nothing or that it wasn't like that... that it was just sex.”
“Carlos, I slept with him to pay off our debt... all our debts,” I reveal. “I put a price on it, and he accepted. It was just me accepting the offer. I had no other recourse... And what did you achieve with your million? Going back to that place...”
“I understand. You slept with him this time for that reason. But this was one of the last times... There were others... And you know what? All this made me realize I was in your way.”
“You weren't...” I say, shaking my head, denying his words.
“We can't keep fooling ourselves... We can't continue living in this three-way relationship. There are too many people in this marriage. So, I'm stepping away,” Carlos says, looking at me. He clears his throat and continues, “If this is what you wanted to talk about, know that this matter is quite clear and settled.”
“It's not just that I came to discuss with you,” I say, sniffling as I rummage through my purse.
My trembling hands take out the envelope, and then I slowly place it on the table, letting it slide towards my husband, who looks at me, puzzled. Carlos holds the envelope, observing my name on it, then looks back at me, questioning:
“What is this?”
“A paternity test,” I reply, nervously.
“Oh, Dália, please don't...” Carlos pleads, closing his eyes and trying to control himself from crushing the envelope in his hands. “Don't say it... No, please don't do this...”
“When Juan was born...” I start, trying to control myself, but the tears are stronger. “God... when Juan was born and the doctor said... the doctor said what he had... what he had was... hereditary... I... I wasn't sure... I slept with him... and with you... Furthermore, I wasn't sure... God... I wasn't sure...”
“Don't take my boy away from me, Dália. Don't take him away,” Carlos pleads, crying. “Don't take my boy away from me. God, don't do this to me.”
“I still don't know who the father is,” I manage to say through tears. “I haven't opened the envelope. I didn't feel like I had the right to. But you can... Open it and find out.”
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