“Michael, you’ve changed. You used to do whatever I asked. Do you have someone else now? Don’t you love me anymore?”
Yes. Emily had been the woman I held in the palm of my hand. I would’ve given her my heart if I could. Yet she never saw it.
“Believe what you want.”
Seeing that I no longer bothered to pretend, cold light flashed in Emily’s eyes. She pointed at me and said, “Jason, don’t be fooled. I’m a social media influencer with a real future. I wouldn’t ruin myself over lies.”
“My husband thought I was having an affair with you, that’s why he targeted you, complained, got you nearly fired.”
“I only treated you harshly to clear my own name!”
Jason’s fury was stoked. His hand dipped into his pocket.
I stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and whispered, “Don’t. Stay calm.”
Jason blinked, surprised. I leaned in and said quietly, “Go home first. I’ll settle this. I’ll make sure you get justice.”
Perhaps because I had spoken up for him earlier, Jason trusted me. He cast one last, burning look at Emily, then turned and left.
Emily stomped her foot. “Michael, you’re just letting him go?”
I frowned. “Yes.”
Emily burst into tears, loud enough to draw the neighbors from upstairs and downstairs.