"I was going to cancel everything, you know?" he went on, pushing off the wall with clumsy energy, pacing again. "The engagement. The promise to your mother. I was going to walk into her office and say—'I can't marry your daughter, because I'm in love with someone else. And I can't lie to Akiko.' I wouldn't do that to you."
He spoke the last part like it was some act of nobility—as if protecting her from his truth was still kindness. Then his voice darkened. "But before I could do that…"
He looked up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly. "She cheated me."
His voice cracked as he continued. "Not with some guy. No. She'd never do that," he said firmly. "She's not like that. But…"
