Chapter 2

William's expression changed. Not anger. Confusion.

"Priscilla, can you not be so paranoid, so suspicious, so aggressive?"

"It's just a WiFi name, and you have to blow it up into a relationship crisis. Being with you suffocates me."

I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"William, don't act like you've suffered some terrible injustice. I'll ask you a few questions. If you can answer them, I'll admit I was being unreasonable."

"First. Who gave you the right to let Mabel change the WiFi in my home?"

"Second. What did that account name and password hint at? What was that dig aimed at? There's no way you didn't know. You knew and didn't stop it, which means you either accepted it or you did it to keep her happy. So where does that leave me?"

"Third. You're allergic to seafood. In nine years together I never ate a single shrimp, but you risked your life peeling shrimp for her. And I hit you wrong?"

William had nothing to say. I couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath on him, so I turned straight to Mabel.

"You don't know he's allergic to shrimp? Look how much he loves you. He'd throw away his own life just to peel shrimp for you."

"Better get him to a hospital. If this piece of trash dies, you'll have a hard time finding another one."

I was worn out from days of nonstop travel. All I wanted now was to go home, wash up, and get a good night's sleep.

On the nightstand there was still that photo from the first trip William and I ever took together, the two of us squinting under a blazing sun, grinning wide and bright.

But now...

I knocked the photo face-down onto the table to vent, and even though I was dead tired, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.

The moment I closed my eyes, all I saw was our everyday life together over the years.

I was a year ahead of him in school. He pursued me his sophomore year, back when he was sunny and handsome and driven, and I had no reason to say no.

We dated sweetly for a year before I landed an internship at a big firm and rented this apartment.

The next year, William followed me to this city to build his career.

It was here we made our vows, to make something of ourselves, to never leave each other, to grow old side by side.

Our biggest fight was nothing more than me being too busy and forgetting to show up for a candlelit anniversary dinner.

In our seventh year, I quietly bought this apartment that held all our best memories, planning to surprise him with it when we got married.

At the end of last year, I was promoted to vice president, while William was still just a marketing manager at his company.

Afraid it would weigh on him, I kept it from him the whole time, joking that I was just another expendable workhorse at the company.

I wanted to do everything I could to pull him up to my level, to stand at the top together with him.

But the man who'd promised me forever had veered off course somewhere along the way.

The next day I slept until the sun was high before getting up, only to find Mabel in my pajamas and slippers making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Who let you into my home!"

Mabel jumped, and the spatula hit the floor with a clang.

William, still a little puffy all over, immediately came out of the guest room.

"Mabel just started work and hasn't found a decent place yet, so I told her she could stay at my place for a while."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"So you're telling me she's been living in my home this whole time I was away on business?"

William walked over with a placating look and grabbed my arm.

"Let's go inside and talk. Don't make a scene, okay?"

I shook his hand off.

"Just answer me. Yes or no?"

William lost his patience too, and said "yes" without a moment's hesitation.

I was utterly disappointed.

"William, you brought the woman you're carrying on with into my home. Did you get my permission?"

"Priscilla, watch your words. Mabel and I are just coworkers helping each other out. It's nothing as filthy as what you're imagining!"

Mabel straightened her back, suddenly emboldened.

"Priscilla, I only wanted to make William a bowl of porridge. Is even that an eyesore to you?"

"He was on an IV all night from his allergy, and you haven't said one word of concern. Do you even love him?"

The two of them playing off each other made me laugh from sheer anger.

"Now. Right now. Get out of my house!"

William ground out through his teeth, "Priscilla! She'll move out once she finds a decent place. Don't be so heartless."

I gave him a cold look.

"I'm talking about both of you. Get out!"