Chapter 2

I posted an ad online, looking for someone who could play cards and knew how to charm a sixty-year-old guy.

I told her: [The job was simple: play one game in person, flirt a bit, and then leave right after. If you win, you keep the money; if you lose, I'll cover it. Plus, I'll throw in an extra 600 dollars; no need to worry about safety. Just cards, nothing else.]

Someone hit me up pretty quick.

I asked, "Are you good at flirting? He's sixty."

She shot back, "Of course I can."

Then she sent a voice message: "Hey handsome, you're so good at cards. I'm totally into you."

Her voice was all sugary-sweet and teasing.

That sealed the deal.

I knew David like the back of my hand. He loved his drinks, loved his cards, and had a soft spot for a pretty face.

Linda never stopped nagging him, always keeping him under her thumb. He'd complain about being treated like a kid even at his age. Well, I was laying out a honey trap for him.

I was not heartless.

When we first got married, David would show up at our place unannounced. One time, I got home early and found him asleep on the couch, holding my underwear in his hand.

I was so freaked out that I turned around and ran straight out the door.

I told Alex about it, but he said to keep quiet. Otherwise, all hell would break loose at home.

So I changed the door code.

After that, whenever David asked for the new code, I ignored him.

I kept my distance, never really talking to him.

We kept up appearances, nothing more.

But that incident was always a thorn in my heart, something I could never get rid of.

*****

That night, when Alex came home, he was honestly shocked to see me sitting there. No yelling, no drama, and no tears. Just calm.

He grabbed his phone and called Linda right away. "Mom, thanks for helping me sort out this mess. Emily didn't throw a fit or anything, and she even made me a big dinner."

Linda replied, "Son, she's trying to keep you. Now's your chance to lay down the rules."

Alex didn't feel guilty at all. "Damn, this is a feast. Babe, you really worked hard."

I reached out and stopped him from grabbing food with his fork. "I can forgive you, but I need to know when you two started. Tell me everything."

Alex threw his fork down, annoyed. "Oh, so this is what you wanted all along? Forget it, I'm not eating anymore. I'm out."

I lowered my head, my voice dull. "I'm not here to fight with you. Your mom already chewed me out today, and I've been reflecting on things.

"I'll treat you even better and try to make you fall for me again. Can't you tell me how long she's been around?

"Tell me about her. So maybe I'll know what I'm lacking, and how I can change."

That actually got to Alex. He cracked open a beer and munched as he spoke. "She graduated, really naive and bubbly. That's not the main thing though. People get old, you know?"

He took a sip of his beer, a happy grin spreading across his face. "The best thing about her? She never ruins the mood. She always keeps things light and fun.

"Honestly, she even went out of her way to buy me this. All she wants is for me to be happy. You know, it's tough for grown-ups to find real joy these days."

He fished out a dip from his pocket.

All his buddies chew them, but I never let him. I always nag him to quit.

His new girl would buy him a dip, wouldn't give him a hard time, let him enjoy himself, and keep him happy.

He didn't say anything else after that started eating. My mind was buzzing.

It finally hit me. I was always nagging him about staying up late playing games, chewing dip, binge eating, and drinking.

He hated all the stuff I did for his own good.

Alright, I got it.

I got the answers I wanted. The recorder in my pocket kept blinking, almost like even it was celebrating with me.

Alex kept eating.

I went back to the bedroom, packed up all my important stuff into a suitcase, and wheeled it out.

Alex glanced up at me, shaking his head. "Why are you being so dramatic now? Didn't you say you weren't mad?

"I'm not coming to your mom's place to get you. If you go back, you'll make your parents look bad. Don't say I didn't warn you."

I stormed over, grabbed the dish from the table, and smashed it right in his face.

He started yelling, ran to wash his face, then started blowing up my phone with angry texts, cursing me out nonstop: "You damn bitch, I'm divorcing you."

I blocked and deleted him.

*****

When I got to my parents' place, they were so upset they started crying. They immediately sent my brother and a bunch of cousins to my house to pack up the rest of my stuff and bring it back.

My brother said Alex wasn't home, and the house was a wreck. The floor was littered with smashed dishes and forks.

Alex totally lost it after I left, and he had probably run off to his lover's arms.

I told my family not to worry about me. Ditching a scumbag like him was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me.