BuzzNovelChapter 18 Hearing the men discuss their careers today, I realized with sudden clarity-I deserved that sconfidence, that equal seat at the table.
Jared called again as soon as I got home. I answered while sinking into the couch.
"Why weren't you answering your phone?" Jared's suspicion bled through the line. "Must've been on silent. What's up?" The lie cautomatically now.
"Who were you out with? Yvonne said you went out again." He might as well have been taking attendance.
"Just scollege friends," I said lightly. "They're all doing well here. Thought I'd reconnect before starting work." He seemed to turn my answer over in his head before responding. "You've changed lately. What's going on?" "Changed how?" I toyed with my hair, suddenly recalling my younger self-the one who wanted to burn bright, not fade into someone's background.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"You're dressing differently these days," Jared said, proving he noticed every detail about me.
"Don't I look good?" I asked with a playful smirk.
"You look fine. Just not... dignified enough." He was never one to mince words.
"Dignified?" I barked a laugh. “Those wedding vows about lovingunconditionally-were those just empty promises?" The silence on his end was satisfying. “I never said it was bad," he finally offered after a loaded pause.
"Was there anything else? I'm tired." I had zero patience for his critiques tonight.
The line went quiet for a beat. "Fine. Goodbye," he said tightly before the line went dead.
I clutched my phone with a humorless chuckle. Jared was always perfectly composed, the genteel husband who never raised his voice. But that srestraint made him emotionally sterile.
The truth had always been simple-women mirrored what they were given. Coldness turned them to ice. Passion set them ablaze.
In college, I used to radiate joy, always smiling, always bright. That changed when I married Jared. The real smiles disappeared, replaced by careful words and actions tailored to his expectations.
"Madam, I've made sgruel," Wendy offered softly. "Would you care for a bowl?" "Yes, thank you." I drew a steadying breath. This was the day I'd stop playing a role and start being myself again.
I slept deeply that night until the nightmare cat dawn.
In my dream, I died again, experiencing the shelpless terror and crushing despair. I woke gasping, the sheets damp with sweat.
I stumbled barefoot to the bathroom mirror, pressing my palms against the sink until my reflection-young, unmarked- convincedI was safe.
The phone rang as I was having breakfast. It was from a charity representative.
1/2 Chapter 18 "Ms. Murphy, the student you sponsored before would like to take you to lunch. If you're available, of course," the person said.
I paused with my spoon halfway to my mouth. "That's odd. I can't quite recall."
"Five years ago," the voice said warmly, "when you volunteered with us, you donated 250 thousand to help that college student after his family went bankrupt. Do you remember?" The old memory crushing back. "Oh, that. But we signed an NDA. How did he get my name?"
"Ms. Murphy..." The voice turned apologetic. "He formally requested through proper your chan contact channels. If this causes you any trouble, we'll handle it."
"I'll pass on the lunch," I replied. "Just tell him I'm happy being a Goodm Samaritan No thanks necessary." With that, I ended the call. Yet I felt strangely moved. That he remembered suggested maybe the world wasn't completely rotten.
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