Unfaithful

Chapter3: Elizabeth’s Apology

Elizabeth sank down onto the first step of the stairs next to her husband. He said nothing when she placed her hand on his shoulder. She felt tears sting her eyes as Will shrugged her hand off his shoulder almost immediately. “Will?”

“What?”

“I’m sorry.” His brown eyes rose to meet her pair of hazel orbs.

“Do you even know what you’re apologizing for Elizabeth?” Her efellfell to her feet quickly because she did not want to tell William what she was truly apologizing for.

“I’m sorry that I worried you by not returning to bed last night.” Her lie made her chest tighten painfully.

“That doesn’t matter Elizabeth. What matters is that it won’t happen again.”

“Well it won’t happen again.” Elizabeth could promise her husband that much because she would be leaving him shortly.

“Why the black dress darling? Are you mourning the loss of someone?”

“More or less.” Her riddle of a response confused Will.

“What does that mean Elizabeth?”

“Nothing of importance to you William.” He watched as she stood and began to return to their bedroom upstairs.

“Where are you going?”

“I have some things that I need to take care of.” Elizabeth then hurried to their bedroom and pulled out a suitcase. She began quickly filling the suitcase with her things. Once she had packed everything that she desired to take with her she sat down at the desk in their room. She picked up the quill pen from the bottle of black ink and began writing on a piece of parchment paper. The letter was addressed to Will and it read:
Dearest William,
It is with my deepest apologies that I must leave you this letter. I married you not really loving you the way I should as your wife. In truth I had desired another man’s touch and that is why I have not given myself to you. I must leave you now for I can no longer live the lie that is our marriage. I’m sorry that things had to come to this. You are a good man and deserve the love of a good woman who is devoted only to you. Sadly that woman is not me for my heart is devoted to another. Please understand that I never meant to hurt you. May you find peace and true love.
Always,
Elizabeth Swann

Elizabeth left the parchment on the desk and picked up her suitcase. She headed downstairs to find Will still sitting at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up at her to see she was carrying a suitcase. “What are you doing Elizabeth?”

“I have to go William.”

“Go where?”

“I’m leaving William, and I’m not coming back.” He stood quickly.

“What do you mean you’re not coming back? You’re my wife Elizabeth, or have you forgotten?”

“No Will, I haven’t forgotten. But I can’t be your wife anymore, not faithfully anyway.” He stared wide eyed as she began to walk past him towards the door. Will grabbed her hand roughly.

“You can’t leave Elizabeth! I won’t allow it!” She jerked her hand out of his grasp.

“Don’t make this any more difficult that it already is William!”

“Then just stay with me! I love you Elizabeth Turner!”

“Don’t call me that! I’m going back to my maiden name.”

“Why? Why are you leaving?”

“Because I don’t love you the way a wife is supposed to love her husband. Please just let me go William.”

“No you won’t leave me behind, cast aside like nothing more than an after thought! I’m your husband and you will respect me!”

“There is a note for you upstairs William. It explains everything.”

“Be here when I return from reading it. At least give me that dignity Elizabeth?”

“As you wish.” She watched as he raced up the stairs to their bedroom to read the letter.