Chapter 2 Two

A few Years Earlier:

I sat at the kitchen table, lost in thought as I traced the rim of my coffee mug. Blake stood at the counter, absorbed in his phone, and I wondered who had his full attention. The silence stretched on, thick with the tension that had been there since morning.

"Blake," I finally said, my voice soft but firm. "We need to talk."

He sighed and put the phone down. "Treasure, what now? I thought we had already gone over this."

"Gone over what? The fact that you barely look at me anymore. That every conversation feels like a reheated argument?" I leaned forward, desperate for him to meet my gaze. "When did we lose our way?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture I had come to recognize as a sign of frustration. "It's just...you're never around. You spend all your time at that job, and when you come home, you don't have time for me and my needs."

"I'm working hard because I want to build a life for us, too. You know that. It's nice living here with your dad and brother, but I was hoping we could one day buy a house of our own and start a family."

"Why do we need a house of our own, when you can't take care of this one?"

I felt my heart race, a mix of anger and sadness bubbling to the surface. "I would like my own home, Blake. Besides, I enjoy my job."

"But what about this marriage? You are too busy to pay attention to the things a wife is supposed to be doing around here."

"What about you? Aren't you also caught up with work? You don't leave any room or time for us to bond. Most evenings when I return home, I end up chatting more with your brother than with you. Blake, you arrive home after I'm already in bed."

"Look, I didn't marry you so you can be away from this house 8 hours a day. I make enough money to take care of things around here. It's like this marriage is competing with your career. I've endured enough. It's time you quit working and focus on this household."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. "Blake, that's not fair. I feel I've been doing a good job as a working wife."

He leaned back in his chair, "Well, I'm telling you that you are failing."

I felt the weight of his words in my chest. "It's not that I don't care about my husband's feelings, but I didn't know where this was coming from.

"I just... I thought you'd understand how important my career was to me. But since it seems to be a problem, I'm asking now."

I swallowed hard. "What can we do to fix this? To make it better?"

He sighed deeply, "I think it's best you quit working."

"You want me to quit my job? Okay, what about you? Maybe you can make some changes. Some weekends-no work, no phone, no distractions. Just us."

I could see on Blake's face that he despised the suggestion, but he begrudgingly agreed, mumbling. "Okay."

"We have to change together if we truly are partners," I state, quickly transitioning into being a full-time stay-at-home wife. Did our circumstances improve?

"Blake, I wish you could understand how lonely it is here. I spend all day in this house and feel so disconnected."

"It's not like I'm out having fun all the time."

"I know you work hard, but I can't help feeling inadequate sometimes. It's like you don't appreciate what I do around here."

"I do appreciate it, but could you start taking my shirts to the cleaners?"

"See, I can't help feeling inadequate sometimes."

"You're too sensitive. I'm going to take a shower."

Despite my efforts to be an excellent wife, Blake still came home late. But tonight, I remain awake. My body had been starving for my husband's touch for weeks.

"Blake, I was thinking, maybe we should have a baby, start a family."

He chuckled sultrily, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Is it working?"

Blake started unbuttoning his shirt.

"What are you waiting on? Come to me, Blake."

*****

One month and a half later, the test validated my hopes; I was overjoyed I couldn't wait to share the news with him.

"Blake! I planned something special for tonight."

Blake barely looked up from his phone. "Oh yeah? What is it?"

I sighed, "I reserved us a table at that Italian restaurant, not too far from your office, that you love. I thought it would be nice to celebrate... just the two of us."

"Treasure, I can't tonight, I have an important meeting to finalize some paperwork. You know how it is."

My face was filled with disappointment. I paused thinking of how to overcome this obstacle. "Blake, I don't mind waiting until your meeting is over. It's important to me. Please baby, meet me at our favorite spot for dinner. Okay?"

Blake, continue scrolling through his phone, "Alright, I'll be there when I'm done."

Later that evening, I arrived early at the restaurant, excitement bubbling within me. The table was beautifully set with flickering candles, creating a romantic atmosphere. I imagined sharing my big news with Blake, picturing his joyful reaction.

Finally, I spotted him. He looks so handsome, in his charcoal gray suit, "Oh, he got me flowers.' In an instant, everything changed. He became transfixed by a stunning blonde in a tight black dress, handing her the bouquet. My heart sank as I watched him pull her into an embrace, kissing her passionately.

Shocked and confused, I struggled to comprehend for a second. Blake was so enchanted by her that he was completely oblivious to my presence. My eyes followed them, laughing together as she grasps his hand, guiding him toward her table. Another wave of shock washed over me. I recognized her as Claire, his assistant. I struggled to catch my breath as he trailed behind her like a dog in heat, apparently unaware or he didn't care that I was in the same room. The hurt and embarrassment I felt were intense, making it nearly impossible to think straight.

But I knew I had reached my breaking point

Enough was enough. I'm done with being the perfect wife.

Without a second thought, I pushed my chair back and rose from the table, striding confidently toward where they sat. Claire caught sight of me, her smile faltering. Good.

"Blake," I said firmly. "Is this the meeting I was supposed to be waiting for to end?"

Blake looked up, surprise etched on his face. "Uh, no. This is a celebration party."

"You were supposed to meet me for dinner. Remember?"

"Yeah, I meant to call you about that."

"Can you excuse yourself while I talk to my husband," I say, looking at Claire.

"Don't get up Claire. Listen Treasure, I can't leave right now, it would be rude after Claire has planned all this, you can go home, and I'll see you when I'm done."

"What? So, you sitting here telling me that this is more important than being with me?"

Blake gave no reply, as he lifted his glass of alcohol to his lips.

That's when I saw Claire put a smirk on her face.

"Oh, is something funny?"

At that moment an intense fire rose through my body as I clenched my fist, and out of nowhere my hand flew up.