"Vernon is really getting careless, how could he bring you a mango milkshake?" Tomboy Daisy picked up the drink from the table, frowning. "Did he forget you're allergic to mango?"
I numbly ate my burger, saying nothing.
"It happened last time too. He worked late and ordered mango-flavored yogurt for you as an after-dinner drink. Luckily, it didn't contain real mango, or you would have ended up in the hospital."
She sat down next to me, sharing the takeout that was clearly more than one person could eat. One of us had no appetite, while the other couldn't stop talking.
Scenes like this had happened seven times this month already. Vernon hadn't come home seven times.
And I could feel that Vernon cared less and less about me. Even if I worked late and got caught in the rain, he wouldn't come to pick me up. When I came home late, all that greeted me was a cold meal and someone lying on the couch playing on his phone after a shower.
I've seen his screen; sometimes he’s playing games, but more often he's chatting with Flora.
I confronted him, "Why do you talk to Flora so much every day? You don't even answer my calls!"
Vernon always had an excuse.
"Zoe, your call came when I was cooking. The range hood was too loud, so I didn't hear it."
"I don't talk to her every day; most of the time, it's work-related."
"We’re just friends; we only talk about work and life. You're being overly sensitive!"
"I've been really busy lately, don't be so unreasonable!"
It was clear that Vernon's excuses were becoming more perfunctory and his attitude increasingly impatient.
My mood grew worse, my expectations of him dwindled, and both work and life suffered. I often confided in close friends.
"If you ask me, you should come stay at my place for a few days," Daisy said. "Look at you, feeling down all the time, it's bad for your health. It's all Vernon's fault! Vernon is so excessive; I feel like punching him!"
"I want to punch him too." I smiled bitterly. "Every time he makes me angry, I want to hit him, but once I do, things will change."
If I could let go, I wouldn't be in such pain, but I can't.
We've been in love for two years, married for three. Until a month ago, we were the envy of others, a loving couple.
Five years, not just a moment.
"I know you can't let go. I've witnessed these five years too. If Vernon hadn't spoiled you back then, I wouldn't have let that pig near you," Daisy said. "But times have changed. Since he betrayed you, just leave. Zoe, you’re so young, beautiful, and capable. There are billions of men in the world; surely there’s one who’s right for you. Why hang yourself on a crooked tree?"
"I know," I said helplessly. "I’ll wait a few more days. I can give him a few more days."
I’ll give Vernon a maximum of seven days. If he doesn’t sever ties with Flora in seven days, I will divorce him.