Chapter 2

I said, "Those posts you make. Are they set so only I can see them? You can't even write a project proposal, but instead of asking for help from your colleagues, you always run to Carl, who's already drowning in work.

"You know he's married, yet you bring him homemade lunches every single day. When you screw up at work, you don't reflect or try to improve.

"You just drag Carl into all-night overtime to fix your mess. Is this what a real secretary does? Is your paycheck just for posting 'My boss is awesome' on your private feed?"

I let out a mocking laugh and shook my head. "Were you trying to show off just now? Are you bragging that my husband forgot I'm allergic to cilantro because of you? Or are you proud that your diligent flirting finally paid off?"

Carl snapped. "Teri! What are you even saying? How can you misinterpret things between us like that? She's just a newcomer. What's wrong with me giving her a hand? I helped you the same way when you first started!"

Bridget's eyes were red and swollen, her carefully curled lashes trembling as she quietly sobbed, the sound stark in the silent room.

Suddenly, I just felt it was all pointless. It was useless to talk sense to someone who was playing dumb on purpose.

I stared straight at Carl. "Is this how you mentor every newbie? So invested in helping her that you forget your wife of seven years is severely allergic to cilantro. and never liked red roses, either?"

Carl froze.

I let out a mocking laugh, brushed past Bridget, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out of the house.

Once I got to my other apartment, the one I owned, I had barely settled in when my best friend Daphne Coleman called.

"Teri, are you really going through with the divorce?" Daphne sounded anxious. "Did you come clean to Carl?"

I said while nodding, "I did. I confronted him. I just moved out and got settled in."

Daphne paused. "Did he agree to the divorce?"

I looked at the photo of Carl and me on the table and said quietly, "No. He probably just thinks I'm being dramatic."

"As long as you're sure, I'm behind you. But when it comes to splitting up the assets, don't let him off easy," Daphne said.

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid," I replied.

After I hung up, I rested my hand on my stomach. In that old photo, Carl and I were so young, wrapped up in each other, not a single sign of trouble between us.

The next second, I dropped the photo straight into the trash bin.

After being emotionally drained for so long, I crashed into bed and was out in seconds.

When I woke up the next day, it was already afternoon. My phone was flooded with unread messages, mostly Carl's apologies. I didn't bother opening them and just scrolled through my social media feed.

Bridget had just posted again. She was flashing a peace sign at the camera, her diamond necklace sparkling.

Behind her was a conspicuously blurred figure. tall, broad-shouldered, and unmistakably handsome, wearing the exact suit I'd given Carl for his birthday this year.

Her caption read: [My boss is seriously the sweetest! Not only did he not blame me, he gave me a diamond necklace to comfort me. Guys like him are one in a million. I gotta work hard!]

I couldn't help but laugh. I gave her post a like and commented: [Is this one set for just me to see again?]

Then I tossed my phone aside and went to freshen up.

While I was washing my face, Carl's call came through. My hands were wet, so I accidentally hit answer. Carl sounded exhausted.

He asked, "Teri, what are you even trying to say? That post was public. Do you realize how your comment makes Bridget look in front of everyone at work?

"I know I screwed up forgetting what you like, and I've already said I'm sorry. Just tell me what you want me to do to make it up to you, okay? Can you please stop this?"

Honestly, there was so much wrong with what he said, I didn't even know where to begin.

"Carl, if you really want to make it up to me, then hurry up and sign the divorce papers. After that, I'm done talking to you," I said, my voice flat.

I hung up right after.

I went back to my folks' place. Divorce was a big deal, especially for the older generation. I knew I had to tell them face-to-face.

Walking through the door, the smell of home-cooked food hit me. My nose tingled, and I nearly teared up.

I asked, "Mom, what's cooking? I haven't had your pulled pork in ages. You..."

My smile froze the moment I saw Carl sitting at the dining table. My expression darkened in an instant.

He sat there with that same gentle smile, acting like he didn't even notice how upset I looked. He got up to greet me. "Teri, come on over. Mom made your favorite pulled pork."

I jerked my hand away when he tried to take it. "Who told you you could come here?"

My dad gave me a reproachful look. "Teri, why are you always so high-maintenance? Carl's the only one who can handle your temper!"

He came over and nudged me toward the table. "Every couple has their ups and downs, but you two always patch things up. Carl really cares about you. Why do you keep giving him such a hard time?"

My head was buzzing.

It was always the same. Carl was always Mr. Nice Guy, so gentle with me, and my parents thought he was absolutely perfect.

He knew exactly how this would play out, showing up here, counting on my parents to take his side and try to talk some sense into me. With barely any effort, he made me look like the unreasonable one.

People like him, so bland, so harmless, are the ones I really had to watch out for. Underneath all that fake gentleness, he was pure poison.

"Here comes the last dish!" My mom announced as she set it down. "You little rascal, couples always have their ups and downs.

"Carl's already tried to make peace. Why are you still pouting? Honestly, we must've spoiled you way too much!"

I looked up at my aging parents, their hair streaked with gray, faces full of eager concern and playful scolding. I knew how much they loved me.

I let it go.

I'd already made up my mind and set everything up. It would all be over soon. There was no reason to keep hiding it from them.

I gave the table a gentle tap. "Dad, Mom, I've decided to divorce Carl."