Within a month, I secured a location, finalized the renovation plans, and paid the deposit.
Doing all this alone was exhausting but rewarding. Everything was finally moving in the right direction.
With the office renovations nearly complete, I decided to visit the furniture market to pick out tables and chairs.
After buying what I needed and heading out, I ran into Steven at the entrance.
To my surprise, he looked disheveled–unshaven, his shirt wrinkled, his black leather shoes dusty. He was a far cry from the sharp, polished man I once knew.
When he saw me, he scratched his head awkwardly. “Anya, you moved out and blocked me. I asked around, and they said you’d be
here.”
1/2
Chapter 5
I tilted my head and looked at him blankly. “What do you want?”
Steven stared at me for a long moment before handing me a beautifully wrapped box. Inside was a pink pendant.
“I got this for you in Cryovein. I know you’ve always liked pink things,” he said.
His words made me pause, and I let out a bitter laugh.
+15 Bonus
“Steven, you really don’t know me at all, do you? I’ve never liked pink. I only started wearing it because you once said I looked
good in it,” I replied.
Wearing so much pink in my 30s had been ridiculous, but for him, I convinced myself it was youthful and vibrant.
After our separation, I replaced my wardrobe with my favorite deep grays.
Steven fell silent for a long time.
I handed the gift back to him. “Things that don’t suit me don’t belong in my life. People, too.”
Embarrassed, he rubbed his beard and started rambling. “Anya, they’re right. A wife should always be the original one. Lanie is just so immature–always throwing tantrums and wanting clothes and bags. After working all day, I come home and still have to
cater to her emotions.”
He complained, “Look at me-
your
cooking.”
–
no one even irons my clothes anymore. Every meal is takeout or at a restaurant. Anya, I really miss
ם
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