I smoked one cigarette after another, but the restlessness gnawing at my chest wouldn't let up.
Sitting in my email was a job offer from overseas, forwarded by my old supervisor.
I'd been on the fence about accepting it. Now it seemed like the only option left.
Boss, I'm taking that offer. I'll come in tomorrow to handle the resignation paperwork.
I fully support this! Charles, with your talent, you're wasting yourself at this place.
The reply came almost instantly. I stared at the words on the screen, feeling strangely hollow.
The lock clicked. The door opened.
"Reunion over already?"
Elaine came in humming a tune, the faint smell of alcohol trailing behind her.
She walked toward me with a smile, but the moment her eyes landed on the ultrasound report on the table, her expression froze.
"Elaine, don't you think you owe me an explanation about this baby?"
Her footsteps halted at the edge of the living room. She turned and looked at the report sitting on the coffee table.
"You went through my things?"
That was the first thing out of her mouth. Not an explanation. Not an apology.
An accusation, thick with resentment.