Excerpt:

Charmaine returned to the apartment, her mind still trying to come to terms on what she had seen.  Part of her wanted to pretend she didn't see him or that woman in his arms, or the way he had kissed that woman with those same lips that kissed Charmaine herself only earlier this morning.  But she knew she can't.  It was embedded in her memory along with the hurt and anguish she was feeling.  She doubted she would ever forget that image for as long as she lived.  Walking into the apartment, the first thing she saw was a birthday cake at the center of the dining table with one single candle in its middle.  The flame flickered as she slowly approached it.  Next to the cake was a small box wrapped in silver paper with a sparkling silver bow in its center.  Her gaze rested on the flickering flame of the candle and an overbearing sense of regret and sadness filled her.

Raymond heard her come in and quietly slipped out of his room.  With a wavering smile he said hesitantly, "Happy Birthday."

Charmaine didn't crack a smile nor did she give any indication that she heard him.  Tightening her fingers around the straps of her handbag she walked past the birthday cake in the direction of her room.

Raymond's hand caught her arm as she tried to walk past him.  Stopping her in her pace he said quietly, guiltily, "I'm sorry.  Let me…"

"Don't."  Charmaine finally looked at him.  Brushing his hand away she said brusquely, "I'm tired," then swiftly walked into her room, locking the door behind.

Raymond stared at the closed door, not knowing what he can say or do to turn things around for them.  Perhaps after a night's sleep Charmaine would listen to his explanation.  With that thought in mind, Raymond walked into his own room.  He sat down on the bed and stared out the window.  He knew he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.  How can he knowing that Charmaine was hurting and it was he who had brought the hurt upon her.  Angry at himself for not being able to control himself, Raymond closed his eyes and fell back against the bed.

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Charmaine packed away the last of her clothes and snapped the suitcase shut.  She had woken up earlier than usual knowing that since her decision was made, she can't prolong it any longer.  Clasping her hand around the leather belt of the suitcase she lifted it off the floor and opened her room door.  She had only taken a few steps when Raymond came out of his own room.

Raymond saw the suitcase in her hand and his eyes immediately flew to her stoic face.  "Where are you going?" he croaked, his heart thudding wildly for he knew.  He knew she was leaving.

Without looking at him, Charmaine pulled an envelope from her jacket and also a set of keys.  She placed the items down onto the table, right beside the cake and the small silver gift wrapped box.  "Here are your keys.  Inside the envelope is some money.  I know it's not a lot but it's all I can afford right now.  It's my share of the utilities bills."

Raymond didn't bother looking at the items she had placed onto the table.  His attention was fixed on the woman before him.  A woman who had come to mean something to him without himself realizing it until it was too late.  Blinking back his tears, he stared helplessly at her and begged in an achingly low voice, "Please don't leave."

If Charmaine heard him she didn’t show it.  With her face still devoid of emotion she walked to the front door and threw it open.  "Take care," she called out softly and then she was gone.

Raymond didn't chase after her.  He knew it was useless.  Once Charmaine's mind was made there was no turning back.  It was this stubborn streak in her that he had admired when he first met her.  Squeezing his eyes tightly shut against the dam of tears that was threatening to fall, Raymond crumpled to the floor.  Life will never be the same for him again.