The Things He Withheld

Ryan Kellogg unfastened his seat belt, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"Han, you've become so reasonable lately. You finally know how to look at the bigger picture."

My phone vibrated twice.

I ignored him and looked down at the final bill from the restaurant.

Ryan hated dealing with details like that, so I'd always handled our household accounts.

I'd just paid the balance when I heard the chime of another successful payment.

When I turned, Ryan had fastened his seat belt again.

His phone lay beside him with his conversation with Sophie Bennett still open.

"Where are you celebrating? Send me the address."

"I ordered a three-tier cake. I put your name on the card, so everyone will think it's your graduation gift to the group."

The screenshot showed a $688 payment to a bakery.

Sophie replied with obvious delight.

"Ryan, that's so thoughtful! I get to take all the credit, then."

He sent back a sticker of someone patting a puppy on the head.

I recognized the dog from Sophie's posts. It was the puppy she'd adopted.

"You just graduated, so you've still got a lot to learn about people. I'll teach you over time."

"I'm on my way. Don't drink until I get there."

As he started the car again, another message from Sophie appeared.

"Ryan, what would I ever do without you?"

Ryan glanced down, and his eyes softened.

His smile held the indulgent helplessness of someone who could never say no to her.

Then he spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Han, go upstairs. Something came up, and I need to head out."

I looked up and met his impatient gaze.

He knew I'd seen everything.

So what if I had?

I'd argued with him before, and I'd never won.

On my birthday, I received one brief text.

Yet every month, he found a reason to celebrate some new milestone with Sophie.

He said my birthday came every year, while Sophie had moved away for school and needed someone to look after her.

When I wanted a dog, he wrinkled his nose and said animals were dirty.

When Sophie casually mentioned liking puppies, he spent two weeks visiting adoption centers with her.

He said he didn't want her to feel lonely in an off-campus apartment.

He always had a reason.

Even if I confronted him now, what would I ask?

You rejected a cake for our engagement dinner because you said nobody would eat it and it would be a waste.

So why did you buy Sophie a graduation cake and let her take credit for it?

Ryan would probably frown and answer the way he always did.

"Hannah, Sophie's graduation is important. Don't compare two completely different things."

I stepped out without a word. He drove away before I had both feet steady on the pavement.