"Hey, Jess, can we talk for a sec?" Justin walked into the bedroom we'd once shared. His scent followed him into the room, encircling me as I pulled down the covers on the bed.

The ride home had been strangely bearable. He said nothing about our public exchange at the acting workshop. He had promptly gotten in the car and driven us home. His driving had been his usual craziness – swerving in and out of traffic, and yelling at other drivers, wishing them dead. But he had said nothing to me.

I'd almost wished he had.

Dinner had been a quiet affair, too. He had even shown up and eaten with us, making small comments to the children. But, again, nothing about the exchange. It was so unlike him. He was so quick to start a fight, to defend himself.

It had my nerves shot.

Still, I'd waited, cleaning up after dinner, putting the kids to bed, preparing their lunches for tomorrow. But nothing from my husband.

I allowed myself a moment of faith that maybe he wasn't going to say anything. Maybe he was going to realize he was in the wrong.

I saw him from the corner of my eye enter the bedroom.... and my faith disappeared. He had kept me waiting on purpose.

It was a game.

Another game.

"Sure," I finally replied, then cleared my throat before turning around and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry about tonight," he said from just inside the doorway, his head cocked to the side with a sly smile.

"What are you sorry for?" I stared into his eyes, watching for some sign of sincere remorse.

"Ignoring you, letting Liz touch me, snapping at the kids, and making you wait when I knew you were tired and hungry. All of it. I'm truly sorry." He stepped further into the room.

I liked the distance between us though. It gave me a false sense of protection. I knew he would never hurt me, even with his new confused frame of mind. Yet, I still wanted him to be as far away as possible when in close vicinity to each other.

My eyes scanned the room for possible escape routes as he closed in on me. My heart started thumping, and the room seemed smaller the closer he got.

"I'm not sure if I believe you. You did tell me once that you only apologize to shut me up," I replied, hoping my voice sounded even and strong.

"Will you ever forget the bad things I've done and focus on the present?" he asked, his lips twitching as he attempted to keep his fake smile on his face. Some emotion – that I wouldn't call anger or hate – crossed his eyes.

A chill ran down my spine.

"I'm a big girl; I can handle your behavior. The kids are the ones that deserve your apology. Not me." I shrugged, attempting to appear relaxed.

"I already know this, and I talked to them. Why do you always assume I don't know what I need to do?" he snapped.

"Why are you pushing us away? Why can't you be the person we loved?" I threw back.

"I don't know. I'm sorry that I hurt you and the kids tonight. Please forgive me." He closed the remaining space between us, picked up my hand and kissed it. "You are my queen. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'd be lost. You keep me in line and make sure I do the right things. Sometimes I push against it, but I love that you are here with me, supporting me, listening to me. I love you, and I can't live without you."

My heart was torn at such words. He sounded so sincere. Is my Justin somewhere inside him, trying to get out?

Yet, he's apologized so many times in the past, and nothing changes. Things are great for a week, and then everything explodes again.

I wanted it to be true this time. My need to be loved and cherished by this man was so strong. My desire burned through me.

And my heart won.

"I accept your apology," I whispered. He bent over and pressed a light kiss to my lips. "I love you, Justin."

"I love you too, boo. Want to come watch a movie with me?" he asked.

I beamed, my heart swelling more. "Sure. I'll be right out," I whispered, although I wasn't sure why I was whispering. Maybe it was so the magic I felt wouldn't be broken. Or perhaps because I was afraid that reality would once again come crashing down, replacing my calmness with dread.

He winked at me as he left the room, leaving me to wonder if I was, yet again, being taken for a fool.

Time would tell.