The flat beep after he hung up echoed through the quiet room, so ridiculous it was almost funny.
I lowered my eyes, staring at my feet, raw and scraped from the long walk.
I quietly laughed.
Three years together.
Cold silence and emotional pressure were his usual ways of dealing with me.
Being the one who cared first, I never dared waste energy on fights or drawn-out stand-offs.
Each time, I swallowed the grievances and stepped back first.
But he never understood that love wears down. When it ran out, it would be gone.
I took two fever tablets.
Then I wrote to the senior who had urged me many times to take overseas roles, and whom I had refused every single time.
[Sister Helena, I’m ready to take the overseas expansion assignment.]
She was thrilled. “I knew it! You’re the type who sees what really counts. With your dual mentors from Dothan, staying in the admin department wastes your skills. Once the overseas work settles in, the director position at the main office will be waiting for you.”
Halfway through, she stopped.
“It’s only… this stretch abroad will last around five years. Aren’t you close to getting married? Your husband….”
“We won’t be getting married.”