Chapter 1
It was the fifth night Charles Powell hadn't come home. I brought a cake to his lab, wanting to surprise him for his birthday.
Through the glass, I saw his pretty junior cover his eyes playfully, then bring out a cake with candles flickering on top.
I called him. He ignored me four times before finally picking up.
His voice was cold when he said, "What is it? Didn't I tell you not to interrupt my research?"
I said, "I just wanted to celebrate your birthday."
"I'm not interested in that kind of childish stuff," he said before hanging up.
Through the window, I watched him smile as he made a wish, going along with her.
Before, I would've cried and demanded to know who he was thinking of when he blew out those candles.
But this time, I just felt really tired.
*****
A sudden downpour trapped me at a bus stop near the research institute.
The cake was now misshapened, looking just as miserable as I felt.
My phone rang. It was Charles Powell.
"I'll be home later. Lucy, quit acting up," he said coldly.
I kept quiet, and Charles got annoyed.
"I told you this project is really important. If you don't want to better yourself, that's your problem, but don't get in my way. We've been married for years, and you still haven't changed at all," he said.
His familiar black car drove past the bus stop, splashing water all over me.
Charles was on the phone, not even glancing my way, but his junior, Gianna Morton saw me through the window.
"Lucy, cat got your tongue?" Charles asked on the phone.
He was irritated by my silence, and I could hear Gianna's soft voice in the background, probably trying to soothe him.
I didn't want to hear any more, so I hung up.
My phone was about to die, and right before it shut off, I saw Gianna's latest post pop up.
She wrote: [Big thanks to Charles for driving me home so I didn't end up drenched like others in this storm. You promised next time you'll celebrate my birthday with me.]
The screen went black, showing my face streaked with rain or maybe tears.
I chucked the ruined cake and stumbled my way home.
Charles had yet to return.
Shivering from head to toe, I curled up on the couch and drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up the next morning, still groggy, I plugged in my phone. A missed call and a few messages from Charles popped up on the screen.
He wrote: [Going off the grid again? Lucy, how long are you going to keep playing these games?]
Charles: [I'm not going to put up with this forever. Cut it out.]
Charles: [Last night something came up, but I can spare some time at noon. That should be enough for you, right? Can't you just stop causing trouble?]
He always talked to me like he was doing me a favor.
I didn't reply, but without thinking, I opened Gianna's social feed.
Her latest post was from 2 a.m.
It was a photo taken in a hospital corridor. In it, a tall figure stood in front of her, holding up an IV drip.
She wrote: [Fever is the absolute worst. Good thing I have you here with me.]
I'd watched that silhouette for ten years, from university days to our wedding. I could recognize Charles anywhere, even from behind.
I forced a bitter smile, wiped the corner of my eyes, and unfriended Gianna.
Then I put Charles on my block list, too.
I'd spent too many years chasing after someone always out of my league. I just couldn't do it anymore.
After popping some fever meds, I dragged myself to work, barely holding it together.
The office was freezing, and I was shivering as I tried to deal with a demanding client on the other end of the screen.
One of my coworkers noticed I looked awful and brought me a blanket.
Before I could even get out a "thank you," the room started spinning, and I blacked out.
When I came to, I was in the hospital, hooked up to an IV.
The nurse said I'd passed out from a high fever and was brought in by a guy who said he was my coworker.
I was a little thrown. Our team was all girls, so where'd this guy come from?
The nurse even teased me with a grin, saying the guy was super handsome.
Before I could ask anything else, my phone buzzed. It was Charles calling.
He yelled into the phone. "You blocked me on WhatsApp? Lucy, are you ever gonna quit causing drama?
"I told you I had stuff to deal with last night. You're really getting all worked up over that? You think I just sit around all day like you?"
I was never much of a student. I barely hung on and managed to get into the same university as Charles, and after struggling to graduate, I just grabbed whatever job came my way.
Meanwhile, Charles went straight from his master's to his Ph.D., already making waves in the research world. Everyone called him a rising star.
We were worlds apart.
The job I was busting my ass just to survive with was worthless in his eyes.
I replied calmly, "I'm not causing trouble. You go ahead and get back to work."
He paused for a moment, his tone easing up. "Alright, that's better. Why don't you come join me for dinner at Lakesome Restaurant on Thompson Street?"
Having dinner with my own husband felt less like a normal thing and more like he was doing me a huge favor.
"Okay," I said.
I didn't refuse. Some things needed to be said face to face.
At least I could give these ten years of being together a decent ending.