Alexander's Pov

I left John's house around six o'clock the next morning, wanting to get home before Eliza woke up. To my dismay, I found her waiting for me in the living room when I arrived.

"Where have you been?" the brunette asked, crossing her arms.

I nervously shuffled my feet. I really hadn't expected her to be up when I got back, so I hadn't thought of a lie to tell her.

"I, uh, was out late drinking with John and crashed at his place last night. I know you don't like it when I come home drunk," I stuttered out.

Eliza let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay. I just worry about you, you know that right? I love you, Alexander," she told me.

I gave her a sweet smile. "Of course I do."

Eliza gestured towards the chair next to her. "Sit down, would you?"

I nodded and did as she asked.

"Why have you been disappearing so often?" she said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger as she stared at the fire burning in the fireplace across from us.

"And you always seem so distant nowadays," my wife added.

I sighed as I fumbled in my mind for something to say.

"It's just that work has been so stressful these past few weeks, so I've been talking to George Washington a lot more. He's kind of like my mentor," I told her.

Eliza seemed to buy it, and she got up and gave me a hug. I stood up and leaned into the hug, pressing my nose to her neck.

I was honestly so lucky to have Eliza. She always knows just what to say, and is always there for me. Which makes me feel even worse about cheating on her with my best friend.

"You're the best of wives and best of women," I whispered into her ear softly.

Eliza blushed bright red and giggled a little. She leaned forward a bit to press her lips softly to mine, and even though it didn't feel quite right, I leaned into it as enthusiastically as I could.

After a few seconds, she pulled back and smiled warmly at me.

"While I was waiting for you, I made breakfast," she told me, before stepping away and walking into the kitchen, leaving me alone with my guilt.