Chapter 4: The break down

After Gina left, my phone rang almost immediately. The moment I answered, Jessie’s voice burst through the line.

“You are unbelievable, Anna! I couldn’t find you anywhere after work. I sent you messages but you ignore.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I had to leave because my mother-in-law was rushed to the hospital.”

She scoffed. “I hope she ok, it’s like the universe is trying to give test of her own medicine”

“Don’t say things like that, Jessica, you know how greatly it’s affecting us” I replied calmly.

Then she sighed. “I know… I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you.”

Her tone softened. When was the last time you had a romantic outing with your husband? Or fun, you both work like Trojans, work to home, home to work.”

 “We’re not complaining,”  

“That’s the problem,” she replied. “You’re too comfortable. Or maybe… not as compatible as you think.” You need to spice things up, or someone else will do it for you.”

“If you’re trying to annoy me,” I said, rolling my eyes, “congratulations. It’s working.”

Her laughter echoed through the phone, dramatic and playful, like a high-school girl. I carried the laundry basket into the washing area and began loading the clothes into the machine.

As the steady hum of the washer filled the room, my thoughts drifted back to Gina. The image of her standing in my living room, rich, polished, and unfamiliar, refused to leave my mind.

“Tell me something,” I said quietly. “What would you do if your best friend disappeared without a call or text… and then suddenly showed up at your house as a millionaire?”

Jessie paused before answering. “Honestly? I’d do nothing. If the friendship survives, fine. But I wouldn’t be the one putting effort.”

I sighed.

“You’re missing a lot, Anna,” she added. “Ok I've got to go.... Bye!”

The call ended.

I chuckled softly. I had only known Jessie since I started working at Sweet Body, barely four months, but somehow, it felt like we had been friends for years. And in just that short time, she already knew more about me than most people ever did. Her words settled heavily in my chest. And for the first time, I didn’t know how to argue with her. I think she might be right, we are both losing ourselves to work, I couldn’t even remember the last time i had an orgasm

Once the laundry was done, I went straight to the kitchen to pack some food for the hospital, then to the bedroom to finally take a calming shower. The moment the water touched my skin, it felt as though it washed away every ounce of stress from work, and from everything happening here.

I had barely been in the shower for a few seconds when Marcus came home. I couldn’t see what was happening outside the bathroom, but I heard movement, quiet footsteps, the familiar sound of him entering our bedroom.

But why was he home

“Marcus?” I called out, just to be sure it was him.

There was no reply.

I quickly rinsed off and stepped out, wrapping a towel tightly around my chest. When I walked into the bedroom, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped, head bowed, not even looking at me.

“Hey, my love… didn’t you hear me calling?” I asked softly, drying my hair with the towel.

He didn’t respond.

My heart ached for him.

Problems had been piling up relentlessly: Eva’s education, the mortgage, and now his mother’s illness. It felt unfair, as if life was testing him without mercy.

I had only ever seen him this withdrawn once before, when his father died. But this felt different. He felt distant… unreachable.

I moved closer and sat beside him, the towel still wrapped around me. “How is mother doing?” I asked gently

“She’s fine,” he said. “She regained consciousness.”

Relief rushed through me, and without thinking, I reached for him. But he pulled away almost immediately, creating a distance that hurt more than his words.

 But I swallowed the hurt.

Finally, he lifted his head and loosened his tie as if it were choking him. “I need a shower,” he muttered.

I watched as he stripped off his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, his movements sharp and angry. I stayed seated on the bed, frozen, my damp skin drying in the open air, my mind racing with questions. I waited, hoping that when he comes out he would explain his sudden attitude

When he came out of the shower, water dripping from his body, a towel wrapped around his waist, he didn’t look at me. He went straight to the drawer, rummaging for clothes.

The silence between us felt heavy, suffocating.

“Are you happy?” he asked suddenly as he pulled on his shirt. “With our marriage… with this life?”

My heart dropped.

“I don’t understand,” I said, standing up quickly, panic tightening in my chest as I moved toward him. “Where are these questions coming from, Marcus? Of course, I’m happy. You mean everything to me.”

He looked at me briefly and then turned away. “Don’t lie to yourself,” he said coldly, stepping past me.

Something inside me snapped.

“Don’t walk away from me,” I said sharply. “Don’t leave me in the dark. Tell me what’s wrong.”

He spun back, his voice low but burning with anger. “I’m tired, Anna. I want a better life than this.”

His words cut deeper than I expected, bitter, cold. I have never seen him like this before

Tears filled my eyes, stealing my voice. Just this morning, everything had been fine… or so I believed. So where was all of this coming from?

I knew things were hard, the weight he carried for his family. Yet I had never been a burden. I had worked just as hard. I had supported him in every way I could.  Then what does he mean by a better life? Was I not enough?

I watched him climb into bed without another word, the silence between us felt heavier than any argument. I stood there, unable to move, my heart aching with questions I needed answers to , but none came.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, forcing myself to breathe. I knew pressing him now would only make things worse. Still, the weight in my chest refused to lift. Whatever was happening between us, it was bigger than Gina’s visit. So it has to wait.

I changed into simple, comfortable clothes, tied my hair into a bun, and went to the kitchen to unpack the food I already packed for the hospital

When I finished, I rinsed my hands under the sink. Just then, my phone vibrated on the counter. I dried my hands quickly and picked it up. It was a message from an unknown number.

Doggy, doggy, where’s your bone?

Somebody stole it from your home.

Guess who!

Maybe you… maybe… me. It ended with strange emojis

I didn’t think much of it. I turned off the kitchen light and went to bed. We lay facing opposite directions, our backs turned to each other, but I still hoped that by morning, everything would be ok and the man I married would be himself again.