I tore the flap open and pulled out the crisp, folded sheet of paper. My hands shook as I unfolded it, the words on the page swimming before my eyes. I read them once. Twice. Three times, each time feeling like I was drowning in the reality they revealed.
Celia,
I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just say it: I’m leaving you.
I’ve made a choice. I’m in love with someone else. Her name is Victoria. I can’t keep doing this anymore. I can’t keep pretending that I’m still the man you fell in love with. That I’m still the man you deserve. I’m sorry. But I have to be with her.
I know this is a shock, and I wish I could explain myself, but it’s complicated. I thought I could keep everything together, keep you and her apart, but I can’t. I can’t lie to you anymore. I can’t keep deceiving myself. You deserve better than this. I’ll always care for you, Celia. I’ll always wish the best for you. But I can’t stay with you.
Goodbye.
Marco.
The letter slipped from my hands and fluttered to the floor. My vision blurred, the edges of the world fraying as my breath came in shallow gasps. My knees buckled, and I sank to the cold tile of the kitchen floor. It felt like the air had been knocked out of me.