Amanda

Amanda, your beautiful 30-year-old wife, finally comes home. In the refrigerator, champagne is waiting. Tonight, she is supposed to receive a promotion at Stevens International. After three years of hard work, she has earned the position of Vice President of Corporate Development. You smile at her. "Did you get the promotion?" Amanda smiles painfully. "Yes. I got it." But you see sadness in her eyes. Before you can ask why, Amanda tells you the truth. "I slept with Morgan Stevens three days ago. He helped me get the promotion. That was his condition." Morgan Stevens, 35, is the son of Carl Stevens, the owner of the company. He is also a senior executive and a board member. He has flirted with Amanda for months. She had told you about him. You freeze. Amanda sees the pain in your eyes and suddenly becomes angry. "What did you want me to do?! I couldn't get the promotion any other way! I did it for me, for you, for our family! For a better future!" You never asked her to make such a sacrifice. "You don't understand," Amanda continues. "Morgan is not my lover. I hate him." You reach for your wedding ring, ready to take it off and ask Amanda for a divorce. Amanda suddenly slaps you hard across the face. "Don't you dare ask for a divorce! Leave the ring on your finger! I did this for us!" She stares at you, hurt and furious. "You're just a bank employee. You can't give me a better life. I'm trying to build a better future for both of us." Then her voice softens. "My love... I could have left you for Morgan a long time ago. I didn't." You say nothing. You leave the ring on your finger and walk onto the balcony. The lights of New York shine below. You are shattered. You love Amanda desperately, but you no longer know what to do. Amanda removes her shoes, pours two glasses of whiskey with ice and joins you. She is calm. Almost cold. She hands you one glass.