A/N: If you're waiting for updates on my other stories, they may or may not come. Real life has changed my focus and I'm just getting back into writing again. The ideas I had for my other stories are long gone and unless my muse decides to grace me with her presence again, updates on those stories are unlikely.

This story will not have a standard chapter length and may have shorter chapters than I usually write. I don't believe it will be an extremely long story; but characters sometimes have a mind of their own and take us on an unexpected journey. Details of characters are going to be vague and will come out as the story progresses. The first chapter is especially short and the following chapters will definitely be longer than this one!

This is rated M for language and subject matter. Do not read if you are not at a legal age in your country to do so.

Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters or Twilight.

ENJOY!

If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going

Or How the Internet Helped Ruin My Marriage and Gave Me a New Life

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. ~ C.S. Lewis

Introduction

I reread the email once more. "I'm counting the minutes until I can fall asleep, naked and satiated, in your arms again. The conference can't come soon enough my love." I sighed heavily before I clicked send and closed my laptop. I checked my phone to make sure it was off before I left my home office.

I walked up the stairs dragging my fingertips lightly across the railing as I got lost in my thoughts. I finished packing the open suitcase on the closet floor, taking care to fold the dress clothes I had meticulously ironed before I worked my thirty-six hour shift. Robotically I went through my nighttime routine to get ready for bed. I removed my engagement ring and wedding band before applying lotion. When I finished, I picked up the rings in my right hand and rubbed the thumb of my left hand across my empty ring finger. I looked between my rings and my left hand. I quietly walked into the master bedroom and over to the dresser and placed my rings in my jewelry box. I turned around and watched the rise and fall of the bed sheets stretched across my sleeping husband. He didn't stir as I slipped under the covers. Exhausted from being awake for nearly forty hours, I quickly fell asleep.

Light pressure on my lips brought me out of my dreamless sleep. A hand brushed the hair off my forehead and I heard him whisper, "Don't open your eyes. You've only been home a couple of hours. I set your alarm so you're not late and I made the arrangements for your cab. I'll miss you. I love you. Enjoy your time off work. I'll see you in a week." I barely grunted out, "Bye" before one more kiss brushed across my lips and then he was gone.

I hit the alarm with more force than was necessary after it started to beep. I groaned when I noticed that the alarm had been set for an hour later than I needed it. I rushed through my shower and got ready to leave as quickly as I could. As I slipped on my heels, I wondered if I was going to regret putting them on when I would inevitably have to run to avoid being late. A glance in the mirror confirmed that the pain would be worth it for the reception I would get when I arrived. I grabbed the bags from where I had left them in my closet, found my purse, and took a deep breath before I walked out the front door and got into the cab that was waiting for me.

As the cab drove away, I watched in the rear view mirror as my house got smaller and felt the nervousness in my stomach grow exponentially.