He used to be willing to explain if I asked him about his relationship with Eleanor. He said they were just friends and never crossed the border. He told me I was thinking too much.
He slowly stopped explaining anything to me, and I got so angry that I felt like a volcano erupting until I calmed down on my own.
I can now see everything clearly and let it all go.
I admit that I was crazy when I think about what I did. I must have looked very ugly every time I lost my cool. Sam hates me more and more every day.
Right now, I don’t want to ask him anything. I just wanted to sleep.
Sam stares at me for a while, and when I don’t open my eyes, he says, “Lillian?”
I still act like I’m asleep, not moving.
He finally leaves after a while.
I can hear the water running in the bathroom. He must have gone to clean up.
I didn’t think I would fall asleep with the sound of the water running, and I had no idea when Sam got to bed.
The next morning, I get up and go to work like I always do.
I’ve been working all day, and the time has gone by so quickly.
After work, I eat dinner outside before going home.
When I walk into the living room, I see Sam sitting on the couch.
“You’re here earlier than usual today?” I take off my shoes and ask him.
He says, “Not busy today.”
“Good,” I say and hang my bag on the hook as I walk to the study.
“Sam stops me and says, “Lillian, your birthday gift, I already bought it yesterday…”
“Thank you,” I say as I take the pretty box from him.
When I open it, I see a pretty bracelet.
“It’s so pretty. “I like it so much,” I say with a smile, “I’ll start wearing it tomorrow.”
I turn around and Sam holds me by the arm.
“I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. “I didn’t come,” he says. “I was on my way to the restaurant when Eleanor called.” She said her ex-boyfriend was stalking her again, and she was very scared. I thought she was living alone, so I…
“I believe you,” I say, interrupting him. “You’re doing the right thing. You can’t leave her alone in danger. You told me her ex was a little crazy. I’ve heard this before. Now, can you let me go? I still have some work to do.
“Lillian!””He’s still holding my arm.
“Yes?””I look at him with a blank look.”
“I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Oh, but I have. Why don’t you get your own food?”With this, I break free from his hold and go straight to the study.
As soon as I sit down in the study, I hear a “bang” from the door.
When I walk out, it looks like he’s gone.
He bought me the gift and was nice about it, but I didn’t pay attention.
He must be really mad now. Sam and I don’t talk to each other much anymore.
I would always feel bad after an argument with him and try to make things right. But now, I’m surprisingly calm.
At night, Sam sleeps in the guest room, so I get to sleep in the big bed by myself. These days, I sleep a lot better.
I don’t get up early to make him breakfast anymore in the morning, so I get another half hour of sleep.
When I’m at work, I stop thinking about Sam and texting him, which helps me get things done. I used to wait until the last minute to finish my work, but now I can do it ahead of time.
I don’t have to go to the kitchen to make dinner when I’m at home.
I kept practicing my cooking skills so I could make him healthy meals every day. The first thing I did when I got home was cook for him.
But the truth is that he threw parties every day, and he might only come back for dinner twice a week.
I have a lot more free time now that I don’t keep thinking about Sam.
In just three nights, I watch a whole season of a TV show.
