Chapter Forty-Eight

Clarissa's chest heaved with a deep, shaky breath as she again clutched Reynold's hand tightly.

"Reynold, please, think about the kids. How will they feel when they find out about this?" Her voice quavered with pain.

"I've endured this long for them, but if we keep going like this, they'll eventually notice the changes between us. It's better this way," Reynold explained calmly, though his eyes belied the turmoil he felt inside.

Clarissa shook her head, the sorrow and desperation in her eyes palpable.

"No, it's not," she declared firmly, refusing to accept his reasoning.

"How can you say that it's better for us to separate? It will shatter them," she implored.

"I know," Reynold said, his voice soft and soothing, "but they will heal with time."

Clarissa's voice trembled with emotion as she asked, "What about me, Reynold? Don't I matter in all of this?"

She was desperate for some reassurance that he still cared for her, that he still wanted to be with her.

Reynold hesitated before answe