Chapter 2
"I took it off," I said.
"But I made it myself. It's proof of our love. Why would you take it off?" Charles protested.
I brushed it off, "I've put on some weight lately. It doesn't fit anymore."
Charles's expression softened, and he smiled again, "Next time, I'll take it to the jeweler and get it resized."
"We'll see."
"By the way, what's that on the table?"
Charles pointed at the elegant jewelry box on the table, his eyes lighting up with surprise. "Evelyn, is this a gift for me?"
I nodded. "Yes."
Inside was a small silver block. I had melted down the wedding rings and put the silver inside.
Charles was delighted. "What's the occasion? Evelyn, you actually prepared a gift for me?"
My heart went cold again. "Today is our wedding anniversary."
Charles's face fell instantly. He tried to placate me, almost pleading. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. Work has been crazy lately. How about we go out for dinner tonight? I'll make a reservation right now."
"No need. I've already eaten."
"How about we go out and enjoy the night view? Or maybe take a walk by the river."
"I'm tired. I want to get some sleep."
Charles slipped his arms around my waist from behind, trying to win me over. "Come on, Evelyn. It's been so long since we took a walk together.
"I feel like you've been kind of cold to me lately. If you keep this up, I'm going to start thinking you've stopped loving me."
I had stopped love him? He was the one who changed his mind. His heart left me first. And this time, I was taking back my heart and myself for good.
*****
On the way out, Charles was driving, grinning as he chatted about all the random things he'd seen lately.
I sat in the passenger seat, head turned toward the window, ignoring him completely.
While buckling my seatbelt, I pulled a woman's pantyhose out from the gap between the passenger seat and the console. It was obviously worn.
I stuffed it back in, pretending nothing had happened. Now that I'd made up my mind to leave, there was no point in arguing with him anymore.
All I ever got from him were pointless lies. If I couldn't get what I want, then I wouldn't bother anymore.
When we arrived at the riverside, Charles got out first and opened the car door for me. "Evelyn, we're here."
I honestly didn't want to come, but this riverside was our spot when we first started dating. If this was where it all began, then it was only right to end it here.
"Whoa, isn't that Mr. Wilson from TV today? The guy who handmade the wedding ring for his wife."
"Oh yeah, I remember. He's like the perfect husband."
"He blocked the car roof for his wife so she wouldn't hit her head getting out. Aww, that's so thoughtful."
As they were talking, Charles's phone suddenly rang.
He said, his tone apologetic, "Sorry, Evelyn. Give me a minute. It's work. I'll take this call and be right back."
"Go ahead," I replied.
"Wait here for me, okay? Don't go anywhere," Charles added.
There was another round of surprised exclamations from the crowd.
"Mr. Wilson dotes on his wife so much, afraid she'll wander off."
"He pampers her so much."
All the while, I stood there with a blank face, gazing at the shimmering river under the night sky.
When Charles saw the caller ID, he couldn't hold his smile back. His smile was full of affection, sweetness, and a touch of playful mischief.
As if that was really a work call. But I didn't bother to expose him.
It was getting chilly by the river, so I went back to the car to wait.
On the dashboard display, Charles's social media account was still logged in. It was synced with his phone. The chat messages kept popping up one after another.
He was chatting with someone called Jessy.
Charles: [Miss me?]
Jessy: [It's so lonely without you tonight.]
Charles: [You naughty girl, wasn't seven times today enough?]
Jessy: [Not enough, darling. I still want more.]
Charles: [Fine, tomorrow at work, in the office, I'll satisfy you.]
Jessy: [Then I'll wear black pantyhose to work tomorrow.]
The rest of their conversation got nastier, filled with filthy messages and shameless flirting.
My whole body went cold. I shut off the screen.
I was trembling, unable to tell if it was from the chill or sheer fury. My nails were digging so hard into my skin.
Charles came back pretty quickly, only about fifteen minutes later.
When he got back in the car, he pressed a hand to his chest, visibly relieved. "Man, you scared me. I finished the call and turned around, but you were gone. Glad you're safe."
I couldn't stand looking at his phony concern anymore, so I kept my gaze on my hands. "It was cold out there, so I came back to the car."
"Sure, wherever you want to be is fine," he replied.
Suddenly, I looked up. After reading their chat, those words took on a whole new meaning.
Wherever I wanted to be was fine? That pair of pantyhose I found in the gap of the passenger seat flashed through my mind. Did they really hook up right here in the passenger seat?
Suddenly, I felt sick to my stomach. I shoved the car door open and started vomiting right outside.