uiet since I dr

me, his jaw clenched, his face rigid. I know that look too well. It's his bo

e whoever you've chosen will be wonderful. After all, you found Ry

nails dig into my palms. Stay calm, I remind myself. If I react, Ryan will just assume I'v

ys, catching

ha

, Julie," he says

st, Ryan. I was letting you know I'm exploring new options. So when

een eyes. "Are you throwing my words back at me? Is that what this is? A game? Y

ant to get you

pulator. Everything you say or do has a purpose. But this? This is c

, sending a glass teetering over. W

ly yells, standing up. "W

und her. His voice is soft and soothing as he apo

I cry, he'll think he's won. And I won't give him that satisfaction. I need to stay strong. Ryan's not

t. "Forgive Ryan for the outburst, Julie. He gets overwhelmed by little things sometimes." She smi

secretary, covering for her boss. I gues

more composed than before. "You have me, Julie. I'm

" Emil

lie is my wife. You think I'm just going to let some random guy waltz into our lives and 'hang out' with her? W

ish. She stands up, turning on he

ing?" Ryan asks, panicki

and leaving," she says

that? Please, let'

ng look over her shoulder. "Because you don't value my opinions, Ryan.

ily, please. What do you want?

e her relation

think he's going to scream, but instead, he just looks at her calmly. There's a long

that?"

quiet, but it carries an edge. "I have a lunch appointment tomorrow with a pote

.. I recognize what it is. He's calling my bluff. He thinks I'm lying, that this "boyfriend" of mine is just a desperate attempt to get under his skin. And by giving me until tomo

not to let him see how much his words sting. Instea

row a little

nding by the stairs now, her arms

says. "We

e. The silence between us feels heavy, almost suffocatin

I wo

"I hope you know w

d

his eyes, the anger too, but he won't admit it. That w

"Ryan," she says again, firme

walks to the door. His steps are slow. I stand

e stops and lo

n who once promised me forever. Then, just as quickly, his

cking on the floor. She does

the house, even as he opens the door for her, like he's expecting me to burst out and s

is pounding so loudly in m

rough the window. Then he turns awa

~

the person's hand in my hair.

ing to figure out if it's re

hear my nam

ly one person

racing. "Ryan? What the