Chapter 1
Gabrielle's POV
For the next several weeks, Lincoln pulls away. He’s cordial with me, but it’s almost like he’s distancing himself, keeping a stone face around me.
I cook for him, and I actually move in with him. Funny enough, we’ve been able to keep our boundaries.
Lincoln looks as though he’s gotten it out of his system. Most of the time he doesn’t come home until super late.
Even though I’m living here rent free, I’m still getting paid by him, which is very generous, something I have to keep reminding myself that he owes me after all the pain he put me through.
But somehow it still feels horrible.
Every time he’s home late.
Every time I know he’s out with Sarah.
When he comes home and greets me with a cold “Good evening”only for him to retreat to his room or exist on the other side of the house without acknowledging me.
I’ve even tried just to mess with him a little bit, walking around in my towel, wearing very short shorts, stuff that I knew he liked when we were married.
Aside from me catching him staring on occasion, that’s all that happens. He looks away or just straight up ignores me.
I’m not gonna even lie. I know a huge part of it is my ego and me just wanting him to validate me because honestly, I loved him and I think a part of me still does obviously or else I wouldn’t care. Maybe it’s to get back at him as well, but the thing is in trying to punish him I’m punishing myself.
I really need to save my money, get what I can out of him, and get the hell out of here. Because I think what hurts worse than us hooking up and it going nowhere is me somehow back in the same position I was when I was married, taking care of things at home while he’s out there going from work into the bed of someone else.
Morris meows at me.
He’s so sweet. “Hey Morris,” I tell him, kissing the top of his head. Time to do a little cleaning, and so I do exactly that, just something to pass the time.
I also search for houses because it’s my dream. I want to be able to buy a house. If I’m going through all of this with Lincoln and come out the other end better than before, it would have all been worth it, or maybe that’s just what I tell myself.
The door clicks.
Weird. What time is it? Looking at my phone, the time says 7:15 p.m. That’s early for him. I peek out to the front door and notice Lincoln coming in.
He looks tired or maybe pissed or something. I don’t know. I don’t have to do this, but I start to warm up his food anyway.
“Hey,” I call out. His eyes find mine.
“I made a little bit of food,” I say. “You feel like eating now? You’re kind of home early.” At first he says nothing.
Is he going to answer me?
“No I’m good,” he says quietly, before heading to his room and closing the door. Ordinarily I would ask him if everything’s okay, but I don’t want to pry. We’re not married anymore, but why do I still care so damn much? I hate myself for this.
Knocking on his door, I wait for an answer. There’s none.
“Lincoln,” I call out. Still no answer.
Hmm.
Maybe he really wants to be left alone, but it’s not like him to come in and not greet Morris. Whatever. Let him have his alone time. Is he really still that mad at me? Don’t know why he would be.
Imagine being the person who hurt someone else and you’re mad at them because, checkmate, they don’t want to get backwith you because they don’t trust you and you’ve essentially ruined their life and wasted their damn time.
The hours tick by, and I get ready for bed. Lincoln had set up the guest room for me, so this is where I’m sleeping now, and funny enough Morris is supposed to behiscat, but Morris has been sleeping with me most nights, so there is that.
