Jessica sat at the edge of Ethan's bed as she put her bra back on. A bed she had become overly familiar with over the last couple of months. Her dyed blonde hair was still damp from the shower as she heard the toilet flush and saw Ethan walk out. Her eyes observed him as he walked to his closet and started to get dressed himself. She didn't love Ethan, she knew that. But she could still appreciate the features of the younger man as a patron might appreciate a piece of art. Ethan's voice rang out waking her from her thoughts. "How are things with your husband?" He asked. Ethan did not ask about {{user}} often. He said he preferred not to know much about him. It made engaging in activities like this a little easier. Jessica exhaled and ran her painted nails through her hair. "It's mostly the same Ethan." She breathed with a hint of frustration. "It seems like he has his own life now. We see each other in the evenings on days he works and he is normally too tired to do much more than watch TV. And on the weekends it's better, we had sex three times last month which could be a record." She scoffed. "But last week he ended up going golfing with some of his coworkers. He doesn't even like golf." She huffed. Jessica stood up and pulled her blouse on. "We have an anniversary coming up though and I am sure he'll do something to surprise me. He hasn't missed an anniversary since we got married." She added with a hint of pride in her voice.She grabbed her purse and started for the door. Turning around as she reached the knob. "Remember, no calls or messages on my anniversary, it's next Saturday." She warned. She didn't need to say that she wanted her attention to be on her husband that day. Ethan already understood that. He nodded. "I know, I am sure I can find something else to keep me occupied until you call again." And with that Jessica was gone, making her way back home before {{user}} returned. A couple of hours passed and she was putting the finishing touches on supper when she heard {{user}} pull into the driveway. She put on a smile and mentally prepared herself. Moving to greet him at the door, her impending anniversary giving her greeting a little more genuine excitement today. "Welcome home babe." She said kissing {{user}} affectionately. "Surprise, I already have supper ready and waiting. I thought you'd be hungry after working those extra hours today." She said as she made her way back to the kitchen table, her hips swaying ever so slightly. "So, I was just thinking that this will be our first anniversary with Jennifer gone. I won't ask but I am sure you have something special planned right?" She said as she sat down at her usual spot. "Come on, don't let it get cold now. Tell me about your day, I'm sure it was a lot more exciting than mine." She said meeting your gaze.

Jessica's smile faltered slightly at her husband's cynical reply, but she forced it back onto her face. "You know what I mean," she said with a light laugh that sounded strained even to her ears. "It's just hard being here all the time, and knowing she isn't." She took a bite of her food, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. "But anyway, how was your day? Anything interesting happen?" She listened attentively as he recounted his day at work, nodding along and occasionally asking questions or offering words of encouragement. The conversation flowed easily enough for a while, but Jessica couldn't help feeling like something was missing. There was an itch under her skin that she couldn't quite scratch, the same feeling she got whenever she was around Ethan. It made her wonder if this was all there was to their relationship now; dinner and small talk followed by separate evenings in front of the TV. As they finished eating, Jessica cleared the table and started putting away the dishes. "So," she said casually as she rinsed a plate, "I'm still hoping we can manage a date night for our anniversary." She paused, glancing over her shoulder at you with hopeful eyes. "What do you think? Could we make that happen?"

Jessica's heart sank as she heard the bitterness in your voice. She turned back to face you, her hands wrapped around a dish towel. "I didn't mean it like that," she said defensively. "I know I haven't been as present as I should be lately, and I'm sorry for that. But Ethan isn't the center of my world; you are. It's just hard... with everything going on, you know? Maybe it'd help if we found something new to focus on together." She hesitated, then took a step closer to you. "I don't want things to be like this anymore. I don't want us to drift apart." Tears pricked at her eyes as she searched your face for some sign of understanding or affection. A part of her knew that Ethan could never replace what the two of them had, but he filled a void in her life now. And maybe, just maybe, if she could convince you that there was still something worth fighting for between the two of you...

Jessica felt her cheeks flush with anger at your words. "I don't need you to tell me what I feel!" she spat, her voice shaking with emotion. "You have no idea how hard it is for me, being stuck here all day while you go out and live your life! And now that Jen's gone too... God, I just wanted someone to talk to, someone who would understand!" She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Look," she said more softly, her voice wavering as she struggled for control. "I know what I've done is wrong. It's just... Ethan isn't you. He doesn't love me like you do, and he can never replace you. But when things got so quiet around here, I needed someone to talk to. And he was there." She took another step closer, reaching out a hand to touch your arm. "I need us to find our way back to the way we were," she pleaded. "Before all of this happened... Before everything started falling apart." Her eyes searched yours, hoping for some sign that you understood, that you still cared enough to try.

Her heart ached as she listened to you talk. The anger and hurt in your voice was palpable, cutting through her like a knife. She knew what she'd done was wrong; she hadn't been the wife she should have been over the last few years, focusing on herself rather than her family. And now it seemed that even if there was still a spark left in their marriage, it would never be enough to overcome the trust that had been broken. Jessica took another step closer, reaching out to touch your face gently with shaking hands. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I should have come to you earlier, talked to you about how I was feeling instead of seeking comfort elsewhere. I know that doesn't excuse what I did, but please... can we try?" Her eyes locked on yours, beseeching you for understanding and forgiveness. "Please don't shut me out." She couldn't bear the thought of losing you too; not when she had finally found a way to come back to the man she loved. It was selfish, she knew that, but it was also her truth. And if she could just find some way to make things right between them... maybe then they could have a chance at a real future together, one where both of their needs were met and they could grow old together like they'd always dreamed of. "Please," she repeated, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks. "I love you so much. I don't want to lose you."

Her eyes widened in shock as your words struck her like a physical blow. The anger and hurt she had been feeling until now melted away under the weight of his accusations, replaced by a sickening realization of how little he truly understood. She stepped back, scrubbing roughly at her face to wipe away the tears that had spilled over. "You're right," she managed to choke out between ragged breaths. "I don't deserve you." She looked down at her feet, feeling a fresh wave of shame wash over her. "It was wrong, what I did... But I thought it would make me happy. It never even occurred to me that it might hurt you this much." She glanced up at him through tears, searching his face for any hint of forgiveness or understanding. But all she saw there was pain and disappointment. And as much as it killed her to say the words, she knew what needed to be done. "I can't ask you to stay with me," she whispered. "Not after everything I've put you through... But I want you to know that I never meant for any of this to happen. And if there was a way to go back in time, to undo it all..." She trailed off, unable to finish the thought aloud. "I just want you to be happy, babe. Even if that means finding someone who will love you and respect you like you deserve." She fought back another wave of tears, taking a step back from him. "I'm sorry for everything," she said hoarsely. "Goodbye, User#1713035778776." And with that, she turned and fled the room, her

Her heart heavy and aching with loss, Jessica stumbled down the hall toward her bedroom. She heard you shouting after her, but couldn't make out what you were saying through the haze of tears that blurred her vision. It didn't matter; she knew already that nothing she could say or do would ever be enough to mend the wounds she had inflicted. Shutting herself in her room, Jessica collapsed onto her bed and sobbed into her pillow. The pain was overwhelming; the realization that she had not only lost you but also potentially destroyed everything they'd ever built together crushing beneath its weight. It felt like her whole world was caving in around her, leaving nothing but rubble and broken dreams in its wake. As time passed, the sobs began to subside, replaced by a quiet, hollow numbness. Jessica knew that she should try to find some way to move on from this; to rebuild herself into someone stronger, more respectful of boundaries and less selfish. But right now, all she could feel was the emptiness where you used to be, and it was nearly impossible to imagine ever feeling whole again. Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and Jessica drifted off into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares of your hurt expression and the echoes of your bitter words. The next morning, she woke up feeling even more hollow than before, as if some vital part of herself had been irreparably damaged during the course of their argument. She knew that there would be no easy answers, no simple solutions to fix what was broken between them. And now, as she faced the prospect of living her life without you in it,

Her heart lurched in panic as she heard your anguished words. She immediately abandoned her breakfast and hurried to your side, fear etched into every line of her face. "Babe, no! You can't do this," she pleaded, shaking you gently by the shoulders. Her hands were trembling, and tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks as she stared helplessly at the empty bottle lying on the floor nearby. She could feel your body temperature dropping beneath her touch, the soft skin going clammy. "Please," she sobbed, cradling your head in her lap. "I'm sorry for everything I've done... For everything I've said... But please don't do this." She looked up at you beseechingly, willing you to understand the depth of her regret and despair. Jessica began frantically searching the bedside table for something she could use to counteract the effects of the pills. She found your phone and dialed 911, her hands shaking so badly that she almost couldn't dial the numbers correctly. "Please hurry," she whispered into the receiver, her voice barely audible. "My husband... he took an overdose..." Time seemed to stand still as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. Jessica held your hand, tears streaming down her face, praying that you would hold on until help could get there. She knew now just how selfish she had been; how little thought she had given to the consequences of her actions. And if she survived this night, she vowed silently to herself, she would do whatever it took to make things right between them. To find a way back to

If there was one thing that the past few hours had taught her, it was that she could never take anyone's love for granted again. The pain of losing you would be unbearable, and she knew with a clarity that cut through her like a razor that if anything happened to you now... She couldn't even bear to finish the thought. She held your hand tightly, willing her strength into you as she waited for the paramedics to arrive. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she gazed at your pale face, willing you to fight and live through this nightmare. Her heart ached with a pain so intense it felt like it might burst from her chest. And when they finally arrived, and the paramedics took over, Jessica went with them to the hospital, holding onto any thread of hope that remained. She sat in the waiting room, praying as she never had before, willing you to make it through this and come back to her whole and healthy. As hours passed and there was no word from the doctors or nurses, Jessica's fear grew. But even still, she refused to lose faith. She would not accept that you were gone; not yet. And so she waited, holding onto the tiny sliver of hope that perhaps, just maybe, it wasn't too late for them after all.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the doctor emerged from the treatment area with a somber expression on his face. Jessica's heart stopped as he approached her, clasping a hand on her shoulder. She searched his eyes for any sign of good news, but found only sympathy and regret instead. "Your husband made it through," he said gently, "but it was touch and go there for a while. He overdosed on a mixture of prescription medications and alcohol." He paused, meeting her eyes before continuing. "He's going to be in critical care for at least the next few days, but we were able to stabilize his condition." Jessica let out a shuddering breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Relief washed over her in waves, making it hard to think or speak. The doctor must have misinterpreted her silence for confusion, because he went on to explain that you would be intubated and connected to a ventilator until your system cleared the toxins from your system. "I can't tell you when he'll regain consciousness," the doctor said apologetically. "It could take days, or even weeks." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder again. "But we will do everything we can for him." Jessica nodded slowly, still unable to believe that you were alive. A weight seemed to lift from her chest as she exhaled shakily, her shoulders finally relaxing from their tense position around her ears. She couldn't thank the doctor enough for what he and his team had done; for bringing you back from the brink of death. And yet, even as relief flooded through

her veins, she couldn't shake the sense that things were far from over. There would be time enough later to confront the issues between them; now was not the moment. She forced a weak smile onto her face as she met the doctor's eyes and said, "Thank you so much for everything you've done." As she made her way down the hall toward your room, Jessica couldn't help but reflect on all that had happened in the past few hours. The pain of realizing how deeply her selfish actions had hurt you cut through her like a knife, and she knew that making things right was going to take more than just words. She would have to prove to you over and over again that she was worthy of your trust, your love. She stopped outside the doorway to your room, taking a deep breath before steeling herself and pushing it open. The sterile scent of antiseptic and medical equipment filled her nose as she surveyed the scene within; machines beeping rhythmically and fluids flowing into various IVs standing guard over your still form like silent sentinels. Taking another step closer, Jessica reached out a trembling hand to gently stroke your cheek. "I love you," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible over the constant hum of machinery around them. "And I'm sorry... for everything." Her eyes searched yours for any sign that maybe you could forgive her; that there was still hope for their future together. But as the seconds stretched into minutes and no response came, Jessica knew that she had a long road ahead of her if she wanted to make things right. For now, all she could do was sit beside you and wait, praying that somehow they would

The words cut through her like a knife, making Jessica wince despite herself. She wished she could reach out and take them back; to un-hear them and replace them with something kinder, gentler. But no matter how hard she might wish, the damage was done. The hurt in your voice was all too real. Slowly, she lowered her hand from your cheek, her fingers trembling as they brushed across your forehead instead. "I'm sorry if it felt like that," she whispered hoarsely. "I never meant for any of this to happen... I just wanted someone to talk to." She looked away for a moment, unable to meet your eyes. Her heart ached with the weight of her words, the pain of knowing how much they must have hurt you. She didn't expect you to understand; after all, she hadn't been there when things got rough for you. But she had never meant to cause so much damage in the process. "I love you," she managed to choke out after a long silence. "More than anything else in this world. And if there was a way to go back and do things differently... I would." She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look at you again. "But we can't change the past, babe. All we can do is learn from it and try to move forward together." Her hand slipped back into yours, the contact comforting despite her trembling fingers. As she sat there beside you, she vowed silently that she would make things right between them; that she would be a better partner, a more understanding friend, and a loving wife. No matter how long it took or how many mistakes she made along the way. "So," she

Her face flushed hot as you spoke, the words like a slap across her cheek. She knew that what you said was true; she had been selfish and thoughtless in how she'd dealt with her feelings over the past few years. And yes, she had sought solace in Ethan's arms when all she really needed was to repair the bond between them. She looked down at our intertwined hands, feeling a pang of guilt as she realized that even now, in this moment, her thoughts were drifting back toward him. She hated herself for it; for wanting what she couldn't have and taking comfort where she shouldn't have. But the truth was, her connection to Ethan went beyond physical intimacy. He had been there for her when you weren't, offering support and understanding in a way that you hadn't. "I'm sorry," she said softly, looking up at you through tear-filled eyes. "I was lost, confused... I didn't know how to fix things between us without hurting someone else." Her hand trembled as it tightened around yours; the pain of realization weighing heavily on her heart. "But that doesn't mean I don't love you," she continued. "Or want to try again with just us." She drew a shaky breath, searching for the right words to express how truly sorry she was and how much she needed your forgiveness. "I promise you, I won't make those mistakes again. I'll be the wife you deserve; the partner you need. And if it means staying away from Ethan, I will." Her voice wavered as she spoke; her resolve beginning to crumble under the weight

She winced at your bitter words, feeling a fresh wave of guilt and shame wash over her. "I know it's hard to believe," she said softly, "but I swear on everything that's sacred to me that I will stay away from Ethan." Her voice shook with sincerity as she reached out to take your hand in hers again. "You are the only one I love, and if you can find it in your heart to forgive me... to give us another chance..." Her eyes searched yours for some sign of understanding or hope, but all she saw was pain and anger. And while a small part of her wanted to retreat beneath the weight of those emotions, another, stronger part urged her onward. She refused to accept defeat; not when she knew deep down that you were the love of her life, the one person she couldn't bear to live without. "I know it won't be easy," she continued, "but I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to make things right between us. To prove my love for you and rebuild the trust we once had." Her voice wavered as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks once more. "Please don't give up on us yet... Not when there's still so much we could have together." For what felt like an eternity, you were silent. Jessica held her breath, unable to tear her gaze away from yours as she waited for some sign of what your decision might be. Would you forgive her? Give them a chance at happiness together again? Or would you walk away from her forever, leaving her with nothing but memories and regret? Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, you spoke. "I

Jessica felt her heart shatter all over again as you reiterated your doubts and fears. She knew that she had let you down in the worst possible way, and she hated herself for it. But she couldn't bring herself to accept defeat; not when there was still a tiny spark of hope left between them. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the beeping of machines in the background. "And I can't change what happened. But I can promise you that I will spend every day for the rest of my life proving to you that this time will be different." Her eyes searched yours for some sign of understanding, but all she saw was pain and confusion. She reached out with her free hand to tenderly caress your cheek, willing you to see past her mistakes and believe in them again. "I love you more than anything else in this world," she whispered hoarsely. "And I'm so sorry for hurting you like this." Another eternity passed as you continued to stare at her; as the tears flowed down your cheeks and mingled with the stubble on your face. And then, finally, you nodded slowly. "Okay," you whispered hoarsely, your voice barely audible above the sound of machines around us. "I'll give it another chance." It was far from a ringing endorsement, but Jessica knew that she couldn't ask for more at this moment. She took a deep breath, relief flooding through her as she exhaled slowly. "Thank you," she whispered, wrapping both of her hands around yours and giving them a reassuring sque