One Step Too Far

Sonia slammed the door shut like usual. Of course, she did it on purpose.

She wanted me to give in and ask for peace. But this time, I stayed seated, quiet as stone. I did not cry or become anxious like I used to.

I was tired of living life this way. I did nothing wrong, but every time, I was forced to beg for forgiveness. The air-conditioning was turned up high, but the ice-cream cake on the coffee table was still beginning to melt.

Just like this marriage.

No matter how much I tried, the cracks never healed. Instead, they grew bigger and more numerous. I scooped up a small dollop of ice cream and put it into my mouth. The sweetness did nothing to wash away the bitterness flooding my heart.

We had been married for three years.

In the first year, she stayed at her company, helping Chris Shaw amend his proposal while leaving me alone on my birthday. In the second year, she went to the neighboring city with Chris on a work trip. That day had also been my birthday.

Now she left me alone standing in the rain just because Chris called her over.

I was staring blankly into space when the guest room door suddenly opened. She approached me, and my heart skipped a beat.

A bit of ice cream stuck to the corners of my mouth. Sonia let out a resigned sigh and wiped it off with a tissue.

"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean what I said. Yes, I know you hate it when I get too close to him. I promise I'll try my best to keep communication with Chris strictly tied to work."

All the unfairness and hurt I had kept bottled up suddenly surged to the surface. My eyes reddened.

For the first time in three years, she was the one taking a step back.

Before I could even voice how happy I was, she continued, "Someone took a picture of me sending Chris to the hospital and sent it to the work chat. Everyone's calling Chris a homewrecker. He's sick. He shouldn't be dragged into this. I'd like you to clear his name."

So much for her taking the first step. So much for feeling moved. She would throw me under the bus again and again for Chris. And now, she had only lowered herself to apologize because of him.

For five years, I had poured my heart into loving this woman. Now, I laughed in her face.

She took that as a yes. "You're the best, honey. I'll add you into the group. Once you clear his name, you can apologize where everyone can see it. So…"

I cut her off. "Don't even think about it."

She froze. The tender expression she had a moment ago vanished, replaced by exasperation.

"We're innocent, Quincy! Why do you keep going after him? This rumor can very well ruin his life. He's just an intern straight out of college. The poor boy was crying his eyes out on the phone!"

I shot up from my seat and met her eyes.