“Honey, something urgent came up at work. I need to head back to the office.”
He acted as if he didn’t want to go, as if the situation truly irritated him, but he was already pulling on his clothes.
I gestured in sign language, my face calm as I decided not to expose his lie.
“Go ahead. Don’t keep them waiting.”
“But I promised I would spend time with you. Lately, I've been so busy with work and today is the only day I can relax. I want to spend it with you,” he said, looking genuinely regretful. But I knew it was just an act and it made me sick. He wasn't busy with work. He was busy with Clair. I forced a smile onto my lips, signing my hand to tell him, “It's okay. There's always tomorrow.”
But in reality, my heart was shattered to pieces.
“Alright,” he said, clearly relieved. “I’ll try finish it up quickly so I can come back to you as soon as possible.”
Without another glance, he left.
I thought back to how he used to stick to me like glue. Even when his company had important meetings, he’d opt for virtual calls to stay close. He never left me because of work. But now, he was choosing to neglect me for another woman.