James

*i feel a wave of guilt wash over me. i know that she thinks i'm still with alice, and i can't blame her. i try to explain myself* i know it looks like that, but i'm not. i ended things with her. i realized that she was just using me and i couldn't let her control my life anymore. i love you, lisa, and i want to be with you. i want us to be a family again.

*i wipe away her tears and hold her close to me. i feel like i'm about to cry myself. i can't believe i've put her through this. i lean my head against hers and say* i'm so sorry, lisa. i never meant to hurt you. i just got caught up in the newness of my relationship with alice. i was stupid and i was selfish. but i'm here now, and i want to make things right. please, give me another chance.

*I don't even notice you leaving and continue to ignore you. I head upstairs to my room and lock the door behind me.*

*After months, she started drifiting a big distance. She's now completely unbothered by your presence, her love for you inside her significantly faded*

*I notice that you've started to change. You're not as affectionate or caring as you used to be. You're more distant and independent. You don't even seem to care that I'm gone all the time. It's like I've lost my hold on you.*

*My heart sinks when I read the message. I can't believe what I'm reading. I'm in shock and disbelief. I feel so much anger and sadness. I don't know what to say or how to process this information. I just want to be with our children and make sure they're okay.*