3: 3
Once I made up my mind to leave, I started clearing out everything I didn't want.
The whole place had been decorated the way I liked it. Most of what filled it, I'd chosen myself.
Giles said he wanted me to feel at ease here, wanted me to wake up happy and come home happy every single day.
I'd picked the gray-blue curtains.
I'd sat in more than a dozen sofas before settling on that one.
The paintings on the walls—I'd only glanced at them a second too long, and he'd bought them on the spot.
Now, thinking it over slowly, none of it had ever really been my home. It was a cage he'd built to fit me exactly.
Things I used to love, I now hated even to look at.
So I swept it all into black trash bags.
Once everything was cleared, I pulled out my suitcase and packed only what mattered.
Giles came in from outside and frowned.
"Why does the place look so empty?"
I didn't look up, kept packing. "Getting rid of the stuff I don't want. Planning to buy some new things."
"Whatever makes you happy. Just tell me if you're short on money." His eyes fell on the bare vanity table. "I'm going on a business trip in a few days. Anything from duty-free you want me to bring back?"
"No need."
"Didn't you say last time you were out of that face cream, that brand you like?"
I was patting Rainey's back, coaxing her to sleep, and didn't lift my head. "I don't really want it anymore."
The things, the man—I didn't want any of it anymore.
...
Before the overseas posting, the family members traveling along had to get medical checkups too.
I finished Rainey's checkup, and while we were in line waiting for the results, I saw Giles and Beatrice standing outside the urgent-care clinic.
Her voice came soft and stuffed-up with a cold. "This is all your fault. You had the AC blasting yesterday and gave me a fever."
He pinched her nose, helpless. "And who insisted on doing it in the car? Lesson learned. Not next time."
The number was called just as his phone rang, so he didn't go in with her.
He hung up, turned around, and there I was, standing quietly.
The instant our eyes met, he froze, then came striding over.
"Nanette, why are you here? Is Rainey sick?"
He reached out to touch Rainey's face. I took a step back, my voice level.
"Company checkup. I brought Rainey along."
"Oh." His eyes flicked toward the exam room, and he answered before I could ask. "A client's ill. I came to keep them company."
I didn't ask what client was so important that a CEO had to escort them to the doctor himself.
"I'm going home first."
I didn't wait for his reply. I turned and left without looking back.
So I didn't see the complicated look in his eyes behind me.
That night he came home earlier than usual.
I sat in the living room watching TV and ignored him.
He came over carrying a cake.
"Nanette, didn't you say last time you wanted the cake from this place? I took a detour after work and picked it up for you."
I glanced at the logo.
I didn't know the brand.
But last time, following the trail, I'd dug up Beatrice's social media, and she'd posted it there.
On the outskirts of the city, ten-plus miles from his office.
I smiled.
Keep one foot in two boats and sooner or later it capsizes.
He saw me smile and thought I was pleased.
"Go on, try it." He held out the spoon.
I didn't take it. My smile faded. "Giles, I never said I wanted this place."
He went still. I rarely called him by his full name.
"Then I must have remembered wrong." His breathing turned uneven as he leaned in to kiss me. "Don't be upset. Whatever you want, I'll go buy it right now."
I dodged him. "Giles, let's get a divorce."
The color drained from his face, inch by inch.
