Love's Second Life: Rebuilding From Scratch

After dinner, Arthur offered to take Aria home first and then come back for me.

I readily agreed.

Arthur opened the passenger door first, then walked around to the driver's seat. After Aria was seated, he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.

Aria and I locked eyes in the rearview mirror.

She spread her hands, offering a helpless expression.

I thought for a moment, then walked forward and carefully instructed, "Drive slowly."

Arthur and I met eyes, his expression a bit strained.

"Let's go, don't keep Charlie waiting too long," Aria urged, nudging his arm.

After they left, I turned and hailed a ride.

On the way, Arthur called a few times, but I didn't answer.

When I got home, I started packing. I didn't own much, just some daily necessities and books.

By the time Arthur got home, I had already packed most of my things.

He looked at the packages on the floor, his tone unpleasant.

"You're leaving home just because I took Aria home first? Charlotte, when did you become so dramatic?"

He still didn't understand why I was angry, continuing to avoid the main issue.

But I had no intention of explaining.

I stood up, lightly patted his cheek, and forced a smile. "What are you thinking? I'm just getting ready to move into our new home."

Last year, Arthur and I bought a new house, and if all goes well, we should be moving in next month.

But Arthur doesn't need to come along anymore.

Arthur's expression softened a bit as he handed me a bouquet of lilies. "Charlie, these are for you."

It was the first time he had called me that.

When we first started dating, I called him "baby" and "honey", but he never responded.

If I called again, he'd just give me a cold look.

"Just call me by my name," he had said.

He always called me "Charlotte", often omitting even that.

At our wedding, when the officiant asked him to name ten nicknames that belonged to us, he couldn't come up with a single one.

I had to step in and save him from the embarrassment.

Now, calling me Charlie, he was probably been influenced by Aria.