And then I lost that certainty, because I proved how easily things could slip away.
Eventually, I dropped onto the living room couch, my back against the cushions, staring up at the ceiling as I forced my shoulders to relax.
This was exactly what my therapist had warned me about, the way fear sharpened perception, how it twisted neutral moments into threats.
“Fear can turn into control if you’re not careful.”
But I wasn’t controlling her. I wasalert.
I exhaled slowly. The instinct to call her again tugged at me, sharp and insistent—to ask who she was with, to ask whether she was walking to her car alone.
I waited for her to come home, killing time by watching TV while the minutes dragged on. Eventually, I heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
I waited for her to come inside. When she realized I was still awake, she looked slightly surprised.
“You’re not asleep yet? It’s almost eleven,” she said, glancing at her watch.
“I waited because you weren’t home yet,” I replied, standing up and walking toward her.
“Oh. Okay,” Elena answered, setting her work bag down.
“Who was still at the office?” I asked.
She looked taken aback by the question. “Earlier... there were only a few people left. Thomas, me, Harley, and a couple of others.” Then she frowned, suspicious. “Why are you asking?”
I ignored her comment. “Who did you leave with?”
“What kind of question is that? I drove myself. I brought my own car, Adrian,” she replied, irritation creeping into her voice.
“Who did you walk to the parking lot with?”
“God, why are you interrogating me like this?” she snapped. “Are you suspicious of me? I was working, Adrian. I’m exhausted. And if your brain is imagining that I’m cheating, then enjoy your fantasy.”
She walked past me, but I caught her wrist.
“Answer me, Elena. Who was with you?” I asked again.
She yanked her hand free. “Harley. Why? Don’t like it?” she challenged.
“Your junior? The one in the photo at the company picnic? The one holding Haille?” I pressed.
She flinched slightly. “Yes. Him,” she answered.
“I don’t like you being close to him,” I said flatly.
Elena let out a mocking laugh. “Whether you like it or not, I don’t care. I’m his mentor. He’s going to be around me. That’s how it’s always been. Why is it suddenly a problem now? Why don’t you just tell me to quit my job while you’re at it?”
“Fine,” I replied coldly. “Then quit.”
She froze. Her eyes started to glisten. “You’ve lost your mind,” she said quietly.
“Yeah,” I answered. “I’ve lost my mind thinking about my wife being around another man. And I’m sure he doesn’t see you as just a coworker.”
“Not everyone thinks the way you do, Adrian.” Her voice wavered.
I didn’t respond. She went upstairs to our bedroom right after that. I didn’t follow her. I stayed where I was, sinking back into the couch, letting my thoughts spiral in silence.
Eventually, I went upstairs.
