If it hadn't been for the intimate photos Francine sent her, Eugene might have been deceived by him yet again.
Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Francine, the sound uncomfortably sharp in the silent car. It was aggravating.
Tommy, noticing her agitation, asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
She asked, "Tommy, what would you do if someone tried to drive a wedge between us?"
Before Eugene even finished her sentence, Tommy frowned. "Who's bothering my wife? Tell me and I'll handle them right now!"
"What if it's Francine?" At the mention of that name, Eugene saw him stiffen for a moment, his entire demeanor faltering. "How do you know about her? Are you spying on me?"
"I'm not ..." Before Eugene could explain, Tommy suddenly erupted, "Eugene, what's happened to you? Francine is just a friend! So what if I care about her? Why are you blowing this out of proportion?"
"I thought you were different from those paranoid housewives who nag and fret over nothing. But now, it seems you've become just like them! With you acting like this, what personal space do I even have anymore?" His angry outburst made it seem like Eugene was unjustly accusing him.
But all she had done was ask a question. And yet he was already defensive.
Staring at the raging Tommy, Eugene was at a loss for words. How could she respond?
The man who once professed to love her deeply now stood before her, angrily dismissing her as if she meant nothing. The realization stung, leaving her feeling utterly pitiful.
In the heavy silence that followed, tears began streaming down her face. One by one, they fell onto the leather car seat.
Tommy, seeing her break down, fumbled awkwardly, "I …I'm sorry. I was too worked up just now. Eugene, please don't cry …" He spoke softly, coaxing her in the same soothing tone he'd used during past quarrels.
But this time, Eugene couldn't stop herself. Images of the photos and messages Francine had sent played over and over in her mind.
Why? Why couldn't over ten years of love outweigh someone who had only reappeared for a few days? She tried to understand, but she just couldn't.
She cried, "Tommy, you've changed. You don't love me anymore. I … I want to leave … sob …" Her tearful accusation softened Tommy's heart.
He pulled her into his arms and patted her shoulder, trying to console her, "How could I not love you, Eugene? Don't say such nonsense. I love you the most."
Just then, Tommy's phone buzzed. The name flashing on the screen froze him in mid-action.
Eugene didn't even need to look up to know who it was. Watching the hesitance flicker across his face, she wiped away her tears, "Answer it."
Inside, she made a quiet vow, this would be the last time she allowed herself to be hurt by him.
Tommy glanced at his phone and made a feeble excuse, "It's just a work call. Eugene, stay in the car and wait for me." With that, he opened the car door and stepped out.
Through the window, Eugene could see the faint smile tugging at his lips as he answered the call.
Five minutes later, he climbed back into the car, "Eugene, something came up at the office. I need to head back. I'll take Casey with me. We might be back late, so don't wait for us to have dinner."
Eugene found it somewhat amusing. In the past, whenever Tommy lied, his face would flush red. Now, he could do it without so much as blinking. Perhaps deceiving her had simply become second nature to him.
Casually, she asked, "Can't it wait? Isn't today a company holiday? Why would you ..."
