You’re too Sweet| Part 5

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I look at Marvin, talking to my grandparents. My dad has a hand on his shoulder and my mom is shaking her head. I close my eyes and nod, bracing for impact.

But after a quiet moment, nothing happens. I open my eyes and watch Jace’s face for the first time. His eyes are wide. A hand is over his mouth. A tear snaked down his cheek.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you!” I blurt out. “I didn’t know what to do. I”m sorry. You had your co-worker and I thought it was a cheap shot. I’m sorry. You wanted a divorce and I didn’t want to force you to come back. I’m-”

“Marne. You’re too sweet.”

My mouth hangs open in mid-apology.

“You don’t have to apologize,” he lowers his hand, never taking his eyes off Marvin. “I mean if you don’t want to.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t all your fault. The affair. The divorce. That was me. I have spent the last fourteen years trying to…wanting to find a way to…wishing I could…just make up for all my mistakes. I should have never had that affair or asked for a divorce or any of it. I should have tried harder.”

Tears well up in my eyes and I can’t stop them from falling onto my cheeks.

Jace looks at me, “I’m sorry.”