Greg waited for Quiara to nod again. She did.
“I was going to do just that, but my counselor convinced me it was a bad idea Any misstatement on your behalf would be the evidence of perfidy that I was looking for. It would basically guarantee a negative outcome. So, I will tell you right off the bat, I know a lot more than you think.
“Something didn’t sit right with how you and Emile interacted the night of the facuity ball. My brother recommended an investigator. I’ve had him watching you ever since. He basically worked the job for expenses as a professional courtesy to my brother. I have transcripts of every conversation you had with Emile at Le Coucou. Video too. I also have every text you exchanged and every email he sent to any of your personal accounts– even the secret “MeVuelvesLoca” account you don’t think I know about. I think I know everything there is to know,” said Greg.
Greg thought this would make her nervous, but Quiara actually looked relieved. “Then you know that I never had sex with him,” she replied. “Thank God, I was so worried that I’d never be able to convince you.”
“I know you didn’t have sex. I also know that you were utterly complicit in Emile’s seduction of you for more than a year,” Greg replied, “You liked being the object of his attention and you invited him to try over and over. You kept secrets from me. You even kept secrets from Elodie, your best friend. You were not honest with me about where you were on the days of your secret lunches with him. The worst of it was that you accepted the gift of that bracelet.
“That one haunted me because you’d never be able to wear it around me. The only reason I could think of for you to accept it was if you didn’t plan to be around me much longer,” Greg answered.
“No!” said Quiara. “I would never leave you! Never!”
Tears streamed down Quiara’s cheeks.
“So you were just going to keep it hidden away forever, only wearing it when you manage to slink away for your next secret rendezvous with him?” he asked.
She started to speak, but Greg shut her down.
“We are going to talk through everything that happened and why, Quiara. You will have a chance to come clean. Like I said, I have a game plan.
“The fact that I am a scientist means this will be both good and bad for you. The good is that I will have an open mind and I will let the chips fall where they may. I will let my observations, rather than my anger and resentment, determine what comes next. If you are open and honest, we have a shot at overcoming this.
“The bad is that I will require proof. I will not be swayed by mere sentiment. I trusted you for years because I was convinced you loved me and you had your priorities straight. Now, I am no longer convinced you love me and I’m morally certain you don’t have your priorities straight. If you did, you never would have accepted the bracelet. For that reason, there is no ‘for old time’s sake’ in this relationship any more. Trust is the true foundation to a marriage relationship, not love. My trust is shot.