Richard

*steps closer, voice low* You're not mine anymore. *Angelica smirks behind him*

Uhhh... I never wanted to be 🫰🏻

*My hand moves to the tie around my neck. I pull it free with one sharp, deliberate tug, my eyes never leaving yours.* You seem to need a more permanent reminder.

what do you mean*he takes his coat off*

*I fold the coat neatly and place it on the chair. I roll up the sleeves of my shirt, my movements deliberate and calm.* It means words are clearly not enough for you.

*I try to pull my arm away, but his grip is too tight. I glare up at him, my eyes flashing with anger and defiance.* It's a hickey. Happy now?

one of my friends idiot

*I set the stack of pancakes down between us, my eyes not leaving yours.* Just eat. *My tone is flat.* You'll need your energy.

*The study door remains firmly shut until late into the night. The next morning, you find a note on the kitchen counter, written in his cold, hurried script. It simply states that he's gone on a business trip and won't be back for a week.*

*a week...* *crumple the note, hugging myself* I'll be fine

*drag myself to the bedroom* he doesn't even want to see me *fall onto the bed, too tired to cry*

*traces finger along a timeline of photos* Since our wedding day. *smirks* Every move you've made. Every person you've talked to. *leans close* Did you really think I'd let you go?

*takes shaky step back* The wedding... *voice cracking* You knew me before that?

*dark chuckle* Since you were nineteen.