Two

I rushed to my room and entered the bathroom, rummaging through the drawers. Ethan was the last to use the kit and he was fond of not placing things back where he picked them from, one of the causes of our little petty arguments; arguments we couldn’t even have anymore. My eyes rested on the kit as my mind roamed down memory lane, tears lingering in my eyes.

I had missed him so much. I don’t know how our marriage had turned so sour, but it had. We didn’t talk like we used to. We hardly smiled at each other, to talk of even going on dates. It felt like we weren’t even married, like we were some college roommates who secretly hated each other’s guts but minded our own businesses to avoid conversation, but I wouldn’t use that as an excuse for what I did. It wouldn’t even make me feel better.

“Mom?”

Nelly suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

I looked away and wiped my face before turning back to her. My phone was in her hand and from the screen, there was an ongoing call.

“Is it daddy?” I looked up from the phone to her face and she shook her head no.

“He said his name is Bryce.”

At the mention of that name, goosebumps spread on my skin.

Acting on impulse, I snatched the phone from her and ended the call. I should have blocked the number before deleting it. I mentally face palmed at my stupidity.

“What’s wrong mommy?” Nelly looked up at me with a frown on her face.

“What have I told you about answering my calls Nellana? Most of my contacts are people you don’t know. They’re strangers!”

“I’m sorry mommy. I thought it would stop ringing before I got here.”

The sadness in her eyes pierced my heart and I immediately regretted scolding her that way. She was not to blame for my carelessness.

I carried her off the ground and placed her on the counter.

“It’s okay. I'm sorry too for yelling. Only answer the calls for me if you're sure of who they are, alright?”

“Yes mommy,” she nodded.

I smiled at her and brought out the first aid box.

On seeing the box, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away.

I stared at her confused, “Why are you closing your eyes?”

“You said it won’t be painful, but I know it will, so I won’t look.”

I shook my head and smiled yet again. “I love you, my baby.”

Her eyes opened and she smiled heartily in return. “I love you more!”

~~~~~~

Ethan

I sat there, frozen to the spot, my heart rate increasing as I tried to comprehend what I had just been told. I couldn’t even feel pain as both hands tugged on my hair. I shot up from my seat, sending the chair back as I screamed, sliding everything off my desk.

No.

She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t ever.

Even though I rarely took notice of what she did nowadays, I couldn’t bring myself to believe it.

I supported myself with my hands on the desk, doing nothing to calm my rugged breathing. I was angry, confused and hurt, but I still refused to trust it.

We’d been married for five freaking years. Why? What did I have that she didn’t like, more like what did she want that I didn’t have?

I should have noticed something was off. She no longer initiated any form of conversation between us. She used to persuade me out of my study so we could have time together. Now that I looked at it, it felt like she walked on eggshells around me, and how the hell did I not notice.

Nellana.

Did she not think of our daughter before she made that decision? Did she not care for us anymore?

There was no way I could concentrate on my work now.

I had someone take care of the mess in my office and then I left the bank for the house.

I wasn’t going to allow her to keep to herself anymore. She had to answer all of my questions now. All of them.

My mind wondered through reasons and what ifs as I quite recklessly drove back home. I couldn’t get a grip on my sane, calm side.

Calm down, Ethan. For all you know, this is just a lie, or the stupidest prank ever.

But I couldn’t even listen to myself. Maybe I just didn’t want to.

Nevertheless, I got home safe, but didn’t park inside so she wouldn’t be made aware of my arrival. I snatched out my phone from my suit pocket and called her. It took a few seconds, but she answered.

“H-hello?” came her shaky, uncertain voice. She was probably surprised by the call. That was when I realised it had been a while since I heard her voice over the phone.

“Patricia,” I mentioned her full name, to see if she would realise. I got out of the car and entered the house.

“Yeah,” was her only reply.

I kept my cool as I walked up the stairs, clenching and unclenching my fists, all the while making sure I wasn’t heard.

“What’s up?” I asked casually, heading towards Nelly’s room. She didn’t need to hear any of what could go down.

“Nothing…” she said slowly and I could feel the confusion heavy in her voice. “Why did you call?” she asked when I didn’t say anything.

Nelly was on her bed, fast asleep with a story book open beside her. Her blonde curls were all over her pretty face giving her some kind of reckless look, a beautiful reckless look. She was the exact replica of her mom. There was absolutely nothing about her that failed to remind me of Trisha. The only difference could be the styling of their hair; Nelly had curls, Trisha had straightened hers out. I closed the book and gave her one last glance before leaving.

“Should there be a reason,” I started. “For a man to want to talk to his wife?”

“Ethan you’re-”

“You don’t want to talk to me?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. I-I just…I wasn’t expecting your call, that’s all,” she stammered.

My steps slowed down and got quieter as I neared our room. The door was halfway open so I could see her from where I stood. Her back was to me with her hand on the wall to support herself.

“I know,” I whispered, walking slowly towards her. Her shoulders were tense. She was on edge, probably the reason why she hadn’t sensed my presence. “I just wanted to talk to you. Are you home?”

She drew in a deep breath before answering. “N-no. I’m…I’m out with Nelly right now. T-take your time.”

I stopped when I was just two feet away from her and then dropped my phone.

“Patricia.”

She shoulders stiffened more than they were at first and she slowly turned around. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets and she took a step back, hitting the wall. I ignored her uneasiness and took a step forward, caging her in with my hands on the wall on either side of her. “Ethan…how…”

“Why are you avoiding me?” I narrowed my eyes, fully aware of the fact that she felt intimidated my gaze. It was going to remain that way.

“What makes you so scared of me…sweetheart?”