One Step Too Far

First Taste of Freedom

"I'm not interested in Chris' life. Spare me the report. And I'm not going to clear his name either!" My fists were clenched, and my emotions were close to spilling over, but I held them in and kept my voice level.

Sonia let out a mirthless laugh. "Fine. From now on, I'm staying at the company. If you still think you're a man, don't even try to talk to me."

The door was slammed shut again. Something invisible squeezed around my heart, and the pain nearly stole my breath.

Then my phone buzzed. I thought it was Sonia. Instead, it was a message from Chris.

"Ms. Gray took me to the hospital because I had a papercut. Don't read too much into that. Only insecure guys are paranoid about everything."

I stared at the screen for a few quiet moments, but I did not text back or delete the message.

Sonia kicked me out of her car and left me stranded in the downpour for Chris. I thought he had suffered a near-fatal injury. In the end, it was nothing but a paper cut.

When I had appendicitis and the pain had kept me curled up in bed, I had asked her to bring me some water. Back then, she had called me a pampered prince.

A bitter smile curled my lips. It was obvious who Sonia truly loved, even if they had never crossed that final line.

She didn't come home for the next three days, but I did not sit around waiting either. I started packing my things up, bit by bit.

This house belonged to her even before we were married. Of course I was the one moving out. On the fourth day of our separation, my friend asked me out for some fun.

I used to say no to them, since I had to stay home and wait for Sonia. This time, I said yes immediately.

For the first time in forever, I finally had an outing. And just my luck, I ran into the two people I least wanted to see.

Sonia's eyes lit up for a moment, but then it was replaced by disdain. She frowned. "You came all the way here? God, you're an embarrassment!"

I was about to retort when Chris mocked, "Oh, don't be so harsh. He just doesn't want the divorce to go through. There are only three days left, after all."

Then he turned to me. "You're embarrassing us men, bro. If it were me, I'd wait until day seven before talking to Ms. Gray."

Their friends played along.

"Ms. Gray has her husband wrapped right around her pinky. Take some notes, people."

The praise was stroking Sonia's ego well.

She spoke to me as if she were granting me mercy. "I get it. I'll be home tonight. Leave. You're ruining the vibes."

That was not the first time she had said something like that. I used to think nothing of it. But now, for some reason, I hated that tone.

I looked at Sonia's smug expression and said coldly, "I couldn't care less even if you wanted to stay at your company forever. And I'm here for something else."

I went around them and kept walking into the club. My response surprised them enough to leave them frozen, but Chris snapped out of it first and grabbed my wrist.

"Stop pushing your luck, Chris. She's already going home tonight. I don't want to get the brunt of your fury when she gets angry."

"You'd love it if we got divorced, Chris. It'd be the perfect opening for you. Cut your crap acting. It's disgusting."

I flung Chris' hand away. It was barely a push, but Chris let out a scream dramatic enough to shame a ghost and stumbled backward.

He did not fall to the ground. Instead, he fell straight into Sonia's arms.

His eyes reddened, and he put on a wounded pout. "I think I should quit my job, Ms. Gray."