She Only Drank Coffee with Another Man

The next morning, I couldn't believe it—Meredith was actually busy in the kitchen making breakfast.

I looked at the steaming clam chowder and some veggies on the dining table. I almost reached out for some, but my hand stopped halfway to the bowl.

I remember the doctor's advice; I gotta watch what I eat, and seafood's a trigger food, so it's off-limits right now.

But I couldn't just sit there and reject Meredith's efforts after she's been busting her ass in the kitchen, right? So I picked up a spoon, figuring I'd just take a little taste.

But before I could serve myself a small bowl, she came rushing over from the kitchen, snatching the spoon right out of my hand. And then she gestured to that bag sitting by the door.

"You love she-crab soup, right? I ordered takeout just for you."

Ah—the clam chowder wasn't meant for me at all but for her new damn hire.

Without saying a word, I started unwrapping the takeout, trying damn hard to ignore the big fat [9.99$] on the receipt. But then I saw the cilantro garnish on the soup, and I couldn't just ignore that, too.

"Honey, we've been together for 10 freakin' years, and you still don't know I hate cilantro?"

Meredith froze for a second, then scoffed, "Well then, don't eat it if you don't want it." She turned away and went back to packing up the clam chowder into a container.

She grabbed her keys, ready to bolt. She was about to head out when I stopped her, shoving this opened blue box into her hand.

"I don't use other men's condoms, Meredith. Tell Devon to take care of his own damn stuff," I said, straight up.

Her face turned this bright, guilty red. She just stared down at the box, swallowing hard, looking completely caught out.

"Honey, don't get the wrong idea. Boys these days just like to mess around, you know?"

God, I didn't even care about her excuses anymore.

She must've noticed the look on my face because suddenly, she was trying to change the subject.

"Oh, by the way, I talked to the doctor. Your injury's not that serious. Just take two days to rest here, okay? Don't worry, I already took care of your leave."

She was practically running out the door as she said that, and her eyes kept darting to the container like she was scared even a drop of that damn chowder might spill.

I glanced at the clock on the wall—she was heading out a whole hour earlier than usual.

Didn't take a genius to figure out—Devon probably got wasted last night, and my girlfriend's in a rush to drive him to work.

Even if it meant crossing half the city, she didn't seem to mind one bit.

I just let out a bitter laugh, grabbed my phone, and limped my way to take a cab to the company.

I'd be leaving soon anyway, and there was still some work to wrap up. Besides my resignation letter, there's this programming system I'd been working on for ages that is sitting on my company computer.

That system was a goldmine, probably worth the next decade of profits for her company. Consider it my farewell gift to wrap up these 10 years with some dignity.

When I got to the office, the whole area was buzzing with gossip, and nobody even tried to lower their voices when I walked in.

"Looks like someone new is about to fill that spot for President Webber's boyfriend! I mean, come on—who wouldn't pick the young and talented guy over the old one?"

"You didn't see it, did you? Well, I was in the parking lot earlier—Devon was sitting in President Webber's passenger seat, and she was feeding him soup! When he got some bit on his lip, she wiped it off, and guess what? She even licked her fingers after! You should've seen the way they were looking at each other!"

"Oh my god, they're basically acting like a couple!"

My chest tightened, and the pen I was holding slipped out of my hand, falling to the floor. When I picked it up, the ink was broken.

That was a graduation gift from Meredith. I'd used it for 10 long years and cherished it like it was a treasure.

I paused for a moment, but screw it; it belonged in the trash.

She was always so obsessed with keeping our personal and professional life separate. Never once showed me any affection in public.

Even when we'd work late, if I tried to hold her hand on the way out, she'd always brush me off with a cold look. Wouldn't even let me sit in her car, either.

But with Devon? It sounded like she didn't care if our colleagues saw them together.

I guess that's the difference between someone you love and someone you just… tolerate.

I took a deep breath, turned on my computer, and typed out my resignation letter. I finished up the last bit of that system and pushed it through.

And before I even realized it, it was noon already, and there they were—Meredith and Devon, walking out of the CEO's office together. They were both laughing and chatting.

Meredith spotted me, and for a second, she looked a little surprised. Then, she walked over my way.