Sorry, I've Moved On

"Two years of marriage, and you still haven't learned when to leave me alone?" Len asked as he walked into the house.

Paula's fingers stopped arranging the cutlery. She had spent the entire evening preparing their anniversary dinner, but her husband had returned past midnight, looking as though her presence was already an inconvenience.

She had hoped this anniversary would be different. For two years, she had endured Len's coldness, telling herself that his resentment would eventually fade if she gave him enough time to trust her.

Tonight, she had wanted nothing more than a peaceful dinner and an honest conversation.

"You're home," Paula said, forcing a smile as she approached him. "I was worried because you weren't answering your phone. Did something happen?"

Len loosened his tie and gave her an irritated look. "So you called my grandfather again? Do you have any idea how childish that makes you look?"

"I only wanted to know if you'd come home safely," Paula explained, her smile fading.

"Don't pretend you're concerned about me," Len scoffed. "You just wanted someone to complain to."

Paula stared at him in disbelief. "Why would I complain about you? You're my husband."

"Exactly," Len replied coldly. "And yet you keep running to my family whenever you don't get your way."

Paula lowered her gaze. She had called his grandfather because Len had ignored every one of her calls, and she had genuinely feared something might have happened to him.

somehow, even that had become another reason for him to despise her.

"Can we please talk about this tomorrow?" Paula asked, gesturing toward the dining room. "I prepared dinner for us. It's our second wedding anniversary, Len."

Len glanced at the decorated table and let out a humorless laugh. "You expect me to play the loving husband just because you cooked a meal?"

"No," Paula answered quietly. "I just wanted us to spend some time together."

"Then you thought wrong," Len snapped before turning toward the living room.

Paula hurried after him and caught his shirt. "Please, Len. What do you want me to do? I've tried everything to make this marriage work, but nothing I do is ever enough for you."

Len turned sharply toward her. "Maybe because you got what you wanted when I married you. Why are you still pretending to be the victim?"

Paula's grip loosened as she shook her head. "I never tricked you into marrying me. I love you, Len. That's all I've ever tried to show you."

Len had never believed her. Whatever had led him to resent their marriage, he had convinced himself that Paula had deceived him into becoming her husband. Every attempt she made to prove her sincerity only seemed to irritate him further.

"Then stop making my life miserable," Len retorted, attempting to pull away.

"Please don't walk away again," Paula begged, tightening her hold on his shirt. "Don't walk away from me tonight."

"Let go of me!" Len shouted as he jerked his arm away but Paula refused to let go.

As he struggled to get out of her grip, his hand struck Paula's cheek, sending her stumbling to the floor.

Len stopped, staring at her for a brief moment. His expression flickered with shock, but he quickly looked away, taking in a sharp breath.

"I warned you! You know what, get out of my sight," he ordered coldly. "Sleep in the other room tonight."

He walked away without another word.

Paula remained on the floor, touching her cheek as tears slipped down her face. She had spent hours preparing a celebration for a man who couldn't spare her a single kind word. After a while, she forced herself to stand, unwilling to follow him again and risk another argument.

A phone began ringing near the entrance.

Paula recognized Len's phone, which he must have forgotten while taking off his shoes. She went to retrieve it, intending to bring it to him.

Then she saw the caller's name.

It was Melissa, her stepsister.

Paula watched the call end, but before she could put the phone down, a message appeared on the screen.

Melissa: Is she with you again? Or are you asleep?

Paula frowned at the message. Before she could make sense of it, another one arrived.

Melissa: Is she complaining because you spend the day and had a drink with me? She really needs to know her place, Len. You told me you were going to divorce her after your anniversary. Be quick about it. I can't wait to be your bride.

Paula stared at the screen, her fingers tightening around the phone.

Divorce her after their anniversary?

She had spent the entire evening waiting for Len, hoping they could repair their marriage, while he had been with Melissa discussing its end.

And Melissa had known all along.

The phone slipped from Paula's hand and struck the floor.

For two years, Len had accused her of being deceitful, yet he had never questioned the people who were actually betraying her.

Paula reached for the wall to steady herself, but dizziness swept through her. Her vision blurred, and her knees gave way.

She collapsed beside the phone, unable to keep her eyes open.

Within seconds, everything went dark.