Broken Marriage, New Future

As quitting time approached, Lucy Anderson rang me up.

"You off work yet? Head over to the east side."

"Can't. Got a dentist appointment."

I'd delayed getting my wisdom tooth out to avoid a swollen face for the wedding pics. But that wasn't a concern anymore.

"Can't you switch it to another day? I've set up a dinner and you still haven't apologized to Andrew for last night."

That made me snicker.

Should I complain about apologizing first or about having to eat spicy food with a sore mouth?

"I'm heading to the dentist."

I ended the call, ignoring Lucy's flurry of texts.

Post-extraction, I downed some painkillers.

By the time I taxied home, it was past eleven.

The place was deserted.

I didn't call to check on Lucy; instead, I just got ready for bed and settled down with an ice pack.

With an international trip a few days away, I wasn't rushing to move out. Given our mismatched schedules, bumping into Lucy wasn't a big concern.

Lucy came back with Andrew in tow.

Andrew clung to her, Lucy's cheeks tinted red from drinking.

He grinned at me, eyes twinkling with a cheeky challenge.

"Lucy overdid it tonight, feeling a bit down."

I didn't bite, nor did I take Lucy off his hands. Just released the doorknob and returned to my ice pack.

"Hold it right there, Jake!"

Her slurred voice trailed after me.

I ignored her, continuing toward my room.

But Lucy sprang up, blocking my path.

"Jake, what's the deal? You ignoring me?"

I looked at her, the features that once charmed me now just seemed bland.

Emotionally, I was flat.

"Nothing's the deal. Go ahead."

I looked away, feigning indifference.

Her frustration was palpable, "Why skip dinner? Still feeling wronged? It was your comment that ticked Andrew off. I went to all this trouble to set up dinner, and you bail? When did you become so petty?"

Her tirade hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Lucy, did you actually read what Andrew posted online?"

Her face was still flushed as she retorted, "Of course, I saw it. He did nothing wrong. Andrew was just worried about misunderstandings about us. But you're still thinking dirty, thinking there's something between us."

I stared at her, disbelief etching my face.

I wanted to explode, to dissect Andrew's post like a prosecutor, something I'd done too many times before.

But the words fizzled out, extinguished before they could ignite.

What's the point? It's not like she's ever listened.

I scoffed at myself, "Right, you're always right."

But Lucy wasn't satisfied, her brows knotted in frustration, "Jake, do you still misunderstand me and Andrew? We're just—"

"Whatever you and he are, it's none of my business."

I cut her off, then shot Andrew a look, "Seems you enjoyed my comment. Quit the innocent act; it's nauseating."

I said my piece and strode into my bedroom, not looking back.

Behind me, Andrew's voice cracked under an imagined burden, "You branded me a homewrecker, I've been slandered and divorced because of rumors, and now you criticize my professional relationship with my boss? Is that really a crime?"

He turned to Lucy, "I'm sorry I'm the cause of your marital strife. Fire me if it helps—spare yourself the hassle and him the grief."

The Lucy and Andrew saga was an old script; if she wanted him gone, he'd have been history already.

As expected, Lucy responded, "Andrew, don't overthink it. It's late, and it's not safe now. Let me drive you home."

Her insisting on driving him when he lived just downstairs—and she was tipsy—was almost laughable.

Tipsy and alone with a man, what might happen?

Not to sound crude, but there are certain boundaries adults are expected to observe. Lucy had a habit of forgetting those.

Was she unaware?

Hardly. With her striking looks and ambitious nature, Lucy had always attracted attention from men—some with less than honorable intentions.

But she was always careful—never got drunk with strangers, and always called me if she did drink. She never went out alone with other men. Even a casual check of her phone revealed nothing but professional exchanges, and she was always cool toward any male colleagues who crossed the line.

This made me once question whether I'd been wrong about her and Andrew.

But people are living beings and love changes; it's as clear as knowing whether the water you drink is warm or cold.

I'm over it.

I cleared my mind, turned off the light, and slept.

Lucy's muffled voice floated through the door, mentioning she'd be quickly dropping Andrew off. I didn't respond.

The next day, there was no sign of her on the guest couch or the security feed.

My heart sank, unavoidably.

After freshening up, Lucy appeared, carrying a bag of my favorite bagels.

She laid out the tableware and gestured for me to sit.

I took my place at the table, eating the porridge I'd made.

Lucy's expression was weary but not angry, as she trod lightly, "The power went out at Andrew's last night. He's been scared of the dark since he was a kid. He slept in the master; I was in the guest room."

The dark circles under Lucy's eyes and her raspy voice suggested a sleepless night.

But all that was irrelevant to me now.

Seeing I wasn't engaging, Lucy just watched me, until I gave a reluctant nod.

That sparked a quick smile from her, mistaking it for forgiveness, "I'm thinking about a trip to California. Can you ask your boss for a couple weeks off? We could leave tomorrow."

I dismissed the idea, "Work's slammed right now; I can't."

Lucy's fork clattered to her plate, "Weren't you just moved to a less demanding job? How are you still so busy?"

"You're still upset, aren't you, Jake? I was planning for us to get the license today. Missing one day—can't you just let it go?"

It was typical of Lucy to be surprised.

For eight years, I'd danced to her tune, never saying no to any plan.

But that was over now.

Our love story began with her pursuit.

After we got together, she'd dote on me, sharing her late-night heartaches about unrequited crushes.

In school, after I was injured during a run, she'd fake an injury just to check on me and fetch my meals.

If I got stuck answering a question on the blackboard, she'd distract the teacher with questions she knew just to give someone time to slip me the answers.

These secretive, protective gestures once made me believe Lucy truly loved me, convincing me to love her back even more.

But over time, my affection turned into obsession, my concern into possession, and in her eyes, it all became just my 'being difficult.'

I had nothing left to say.

I remembered the loving looks she used to give me, but now, they seemed to have faded long ago.

I watched her calmly, her eyes darting away, clearly uneasy.

"Okay, I admit this was my fault."

I shook my head, my voice steady, "It's not your fault; it's just that you don't love me anymore."

Is it a crime not to love?

Absolutely not.

No one is ever required to stay in love with someone forever.

Finally, Lucy's composure began to crack. She stood up and grabbed my shoulders, "Jake, what are you getting at?"