After putting Braylee to bed, I decide to go outside on the large wrap-around porch. As I lower myself onto the porch sofa, my eyes become fixated on the beautiful orange and red-colored sunset as it hovers just above our large oak tree. The beautiful colors illuminating the darkening sky cause a small smile on my face, allowing me to forget how my world is about to fall apart, even if it's for a few moments.

"How I wish I never went to New York. The time has come I can no longer lie to Aubrey. She doesn't deserve it, and she deserves to hear the painful truth from me. There is no way around this. Why didn't I listen to her? If I had, I wouldn't be in this nightmare. I've also been lying to my daughter. Braylee believed me when I said that lady is not of any importance. She will never coming back. Yep, I'm an asshole." 

"Hey, babe," I hear Aubrey and snap my head up to see her standing right outside the door wearing her WVU foot ball jersey. Her brown hair is swept up in a twist and her beautiful smile still takes my breath away. Her naturally beautiful tanned skin glistens as she steps towards me and the light from the setting sun causes me to gasp as it shines on her.

"My god, Aubrey, you are so beautiful," I say as she slides herself next to me.

"Well, this is nice," she whispers.

"I love you so much, Aubrey."

"I love you, Cruz."

"How did you get out of having to work late tonight?" I question her.

"Oh, well, I called Brenda and begged her to cover my shift."

"Remind me to thank Brenda when I see her again," I smile.

"Cruz, You remember that young teen girl I mentioned earlier?"

"Yeah, I remember. Is she and her baby alright?"

"She had a boy. The good thing is, he appears to be healthy, but the teen mom, not so much."

"Oh, that's horrible, Aubrey. What happened?"

"As she was pushing, I noticed something is off with her. She was so pale, and she had no strength to keep pushing. Before I could get any words out, she collapsed back and had a seizure. Obviously we had to perform an emergency C-section. Tonya slept into a comma."

"Aubrey, aww sweetheart, that's horrible. I hope Tonya pulls through," I try to comfort her as I wrap my arms around her.

"Cruz, I don't mean to sound insensitive by suggesting this, but Tonya doesn't have any family that we know of and she is so young. Doctor Hillman isn't sure if she will wake up," she cries.

"Aubrey, what are you trying to say?"

"Maybe we should think about what our options are?"

"what options are you talking about?"

"I'm hoping you will agree to us looking into possibly adopting that sweet baby boy, Cruz. He doesn't have anyone now."

"What? Tonya just gave birth to that baby. We can't just go in there and take her son," I say. She stands up in front of me and looks down at me with tears falling down her already tear-stained face.

"Cruz, at least three doctors agree that Tonya may never wake up. I don't take any pleasure knowing she may never wake up  and I do hope she wakes up, but that baby needs parents who will love him and let him know we care enough and want to provide him a loving home."

"Aubrey, stop. I'm so sorry, but we can't do this."

"Why not, Cruz? Did you change your mind about us adopting a baby? He's the perfect baby for us."

"No, Aubrey. It's just the timing isn't right."

"Why do you think the timing isn't right, Cruz?"

"God help me, I can't keep doing this." 

"You can't keep doing what, Cruz? You tell me what's obviously bothering you," she demands. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes and my heart shattering. I feel sick knowing I'm about to break her heart.

"God Aubrey, I'm sorry. I know you have been suspecting something is off with me. Something is going on with me, it's way past time you hear the truth from me."

" I was hoping it might have something to do with work. Cruz, something is obviously wrong. It's clear something is going on with you. Please, just tell what it is," she insists.

"Maybe you should sit down, Aubrey."

"Is it really that bad you think I should sit down?"

"Aubrey, please, sit down."

"Okay, I'm now sitting, Cruz. You tell me what is so wrong I need to have a seat?" she questions me. I begin to pace back and forth, trying to force the painful words out of my mouth.

"I know chances are after you hear these devastating  words, you will never be able to believe me, but I need you to know, I never stopped loving you and I never will. Like I told you before, no matter what happens, I will always love you, Aubrey."

"Cruz, I need you to tell me what is making you so nervous and why you can't seem to look me in the eye?"

"You said you thought what is bothering me might have something to do with my work, and you're right, that's how it led me to making the biggest mistake of my life. If I could go back in time, there would be no way I would go to New York," I say and notice the fear in hers eyes growing even more.

"What happened in New York, Cruz? Just tell me."

"Aubrey, that's where I made an incredibly stupid mistake. There is no excuse for what I did. I won't insult your intelligence by trying to excuse what I did."

"What the hell did you do, Cruz? Tell me, damn it," she snaps.

"Please forgive me, I had a one-night stand," I whisper. Her body slumps over as she places her hand on her heart almost as if she tries to keep it from shattering.

" Y-you had an affair in New York, Cruz?" she stammers.

"It only happened one time."

"One time, is that somehow supposed to make me feel better you cheated on me just that one time, you asshole?" She jumps up and picks up the glass dolphin from the picnic table I bought her for her birthday last year, she lifts it above her head and quickly throws it down on the porch.

"Aubrey, babe."

"You lying, cheating bastard. Oh my god, you have been lying to me for over two months. That's why you always look so depressed, why you always look worried. Well, I guess we won't be adopting a child after all," she cries.

"There is more I need to tell you, Aubrey."

"Oh great. Yeah, because cheating on me isn't enough? What more could you possibly have to tell me that will hurt me even worse than you screwing another woman, Cruz?"

"She's pregnant, Aubrey. I'm so sorry, you know who she is." 

" She's pregnant, Cruz? You tell me right now, who the hell is she?"

"It's Kendall, Aubrey."

"Kendall, who the hell is Kendall, Cruz?"

"Oh yes, she decided to use a fake name. Ciara is Kendall."

"Let  me make sure I understand this. You ignored the importance of spending more time with your family. You made the choice to go to New York for that important meeting you just could not miss. Then you decide to have unprotected sex with a complete stranger who turns out to be Ciara, the nurse I hired. That is who you got pregnant?" She steps towards me balling up her fist, she swings her arm and her fist lands on my jaw causing me to fall back over the chair. 

"Shit, Aubrey," I snap as I rub my jaw.

"I want you out of this house, Cruz. I will never forgive you for this."

"Aubrey, please, I know I screwed up."

"I can't stand the sight of you, Cruz. Pack your stuff and get the hell out."