Time for Me to Go, Time for You to Burn

Ayla's POV

I would even start preparing for our anniversary three months in advance. I would have a photo album custom-made, record videos, and fly to the city where he was away on business to set up a surprise.

Now, all I did was toss the gift box into the trash can.

I turned around and went to the bedroom to get my bag and shoes, as I was going out.

Shane grabbed me, looking irritated. "Ayla, where are you going in the middle of the night? David's waiting for you to put him to bed."

I looked at him, feeling slightly amused. "How interesting, Shane.

"When I used to ask you where you were going at three in the morning, you said that I had no boundaries, offending your privacy.

"Now that I don't ask, you've actually become angrier. You're even starting to monitor where I'm going."

I headed out through the door.

As the security door clanged shut behind me, I heard him yell in suppressed fury, "All you do is lose your temper! If you don't come home tonight, then never come back again!"

I could hear the conviction in his voice. He was sure that I would turn back from the fear of losing him.

However, I did not stop; my eyes filled with scorn.

In his eyes, I was probably just a clown who would never be able to leave him.

He thought I was insignificant and that I was reliant on him and had no other choices.

However, even clowns would get tired of their masks.

Since my marriage no longer had a place for me, I decided to leave.

…

At the bar, my cousin, Celeste Drey, said teasingly, "What a surprise! Our perfect housewife isn't at home tending to her king and her little prince!

"Did something happen?"

"Alright, stop gossiping."

I laughed and pushed her gently. "Remember to call me whenever you're doing anything fun."

Celeste scoffed. "Can you really bring yourself to leave home and abandon your husband and son, whom you treat like royalty?"

I couldn't blame Celeste for saying this. Ever since marrying Shane, I had gradually distanced myself from my former social circles.

Whenever my friends asked me out, I would always say, "Next time."

It's been a long time since I painted. An unfinished painting on my easel has gathered a thick layer of dust, and I haven't visited my favorite bookstore since getting married.

I downed my drink in one gulp. "Yes. I can bear it now."

Since they were able to leave me behind, I would do the same to them.

At three in the morning, I went home, smelling heavily of alcohol.

Shane was sitting in the living room with dark circles around his eyes.

His suit was crumpled, and his tie was askew.

It was the first time in our five years of marriage that I'd ever seen him in such a disheveled state.

When he saw that I was back, he exhaled, his lips curving up slightly. "You're back. Have you realized that you can't bear to leave David and me?

"I thought that you actually had the guts to leave home. Since you can't leave me, then behave yourself!"

I sat down beside him and burped.

His brow furrowed tightly. "Ayla, did you go out drinking in the middle of the night? With who?"

I suddenly thought of how he would always go out drinking and socializing until late at night.

I would always wait for him to come home, and he would come back reeking of alcohol. He always said impatiently to me, "I have to socialize for work. Why do you have to ask about it every single time?"

Now, the shoe was on the other foot. He was the one interrogating me.

David was awoken by the noise and ran out on his bare feet.

When he smelled the alcohol, he wrinkled his nose and retreated to Shane's side.

"Mom, you stink! Ruthie isn't like you. She always smells good, like a princess!

"She even makes cake and ice cream for me while all you do is lose your temper and make me do my homework. You forbid me from eating anything, and you always look ugly. Today, you even stink!"

I gazed at Shane and David, my eyes weary and numb.

I had carried David for nine months in my womb and gotten up thousands of times in five years for night feedings.

Having ice cream was bad for his stomach, and he often got diarrhea as a result, and it would lead to him having a fever.