She could tell I was faking it. The smile across my face only a slight glimmer of what it once was. Telling my wife I loved her used to be so easy; kissing her face, brushing my fingers in her hair. They were all lies now.

I had only just found out a bit ago about her affair. Long done and over with, it had been with a colleague of mine back in 2002. It only lasted a few months and all the while, I had no idea.

It has been eight years since that time, but only now am I feeling the break in my heart.

It was difficult at times, but I was always faithful to her, my beloved Jennifer. She let herself go after we had our son, and wasn't nearly as attractive as she used to be; but I still loved her.

So why now, after I find a letter written to John, explaining that she could no longer go through with their relationship, that I'm having doubts about her? I have loved her through death, through painful loss of friendships, through financial downfall, and even career failure. So why now should I stop? Why do I look at her, and feel that she has cheated me out of more than just lust?

She tells me she loves me, looks me in the eyes and kisses me. I used to smile at her, kiss her back and ensure her that everything is okay.

It's not this time, things are different. I can never love her again. But so much life has been lost, maybe I should just forgive? Time of judgement has arrived.

"Well?" She asked, still looking at my awkward smile.

"I love you too." I said. My heart burned in my chest. My love has been a lie. My fake smile the only truth to my being. And still knowing that from now on, I will always have to fake it. A little bit of me has died.