The Invite

Marcella observed Tony's face for some time without saying anything. Tony's stomach turned into knots waiting for her reply. Every single second passing felt like an eon passing. 

His palms went cold and his throat bobbed. There was something wrong, his heart said. That few seconds of silence from her caused the devastation of a category 5 hurricane in his heart. 

He tried to keep his emotions at bay. He was not in the wrong but it was their marriage in the line. If Marcella believed any lie that woman told her, then it would cause serious damage to their marriage. 

He valued their marriage more than anything. Marcella was too precious for him to lose; her love was the one thing he was not willing to lose. 

Marcella held his cheeks with both her hands. She then smiled. Tony stared at her, perplexed. The warmth of her hands was comforting and his lips curved slightly.

"You don't have to be in the same room as her again," Marcella said.