Broken Marriage, New Future

Outside the courthouse, Lucy Anderson's secretary suddenly collapsed.

She abandoned me and followed the ambulance to the hospital.

I tidied up the aftermath alone into the wee hours of the night and saw a social media update from her secretary, featuring Lucy's profile as she leaned over the hospital bed.

The post read: [Finally divorced. Now I can openly be with you.]

I clicked "like" and commented: [Here's to hoping for a brood of eight!]

Afterwards, I packed my stuff and moved out.

——

Lucy called me late that night.

I was pondering whether to take the photos from our trips together.

As soon as I answered, her voice came through, tinged with irritation, "Jake, that's just low! What's with the 'brood of eight'? Been binge-reading trashy romance novels? You know he just got a divorce because his ex cheated, right? Why stir the pot? I've told you a thousand times, he's just my secretary, and his health isn't great. Don't push him too hard."

I yanked our photo off the wall and shoved it into my suitcase.

Standing by the window, I lit up a cigarette.

"Why did you ditch me in front of the courthouse? Thinking he matters more than me?"

There was a pause from Lucy, obviously caught off guard by my directness. When she responded, her anger was palpable. "Are you accusing me of cheating, Jake? Do you really think I'd marry you if I didn't love you? Andrew and I are strictly professional. If an employee collapsed in front of you, wouldn't you be concerned? Must you always be so suspicious?"

Just coworkers, stop being paranoid...

I've had enough of these excuses over eight years, and my emotions flatlined.

The night we were supposed to get our marriage license, I was so elated that I couldn't sleep, and signed an unfair prenup in my excitement.

Yet, for her secretary, Lucy could drop everything we had in an instant.

I put on a bitter smile and bit back the bitter words, flicking ash from my cigarette before giving her a simple reply.

"You're right."

Knowing Lucy, no further questions meant I'd moved on; her tone softened, "Be sweet and apologize to Andrew," before she hung up.

This time, however, she was wrong. I erased them both from my life.

Lucy and I were childhood friends, having officially become a couple in our senior year of high school, seven years ago.

Honestly, those years weren't filled with joy.

Our disputes were always about Andrew Edward, her assistant.

Lucy, two years my senior, moved in here after college. She always told me how great Andrew was and how he had supported her through her startup's roughest patches, helping her not to give up.

She claimed she wouldn't have her financial independence without him.

This always irked me, but I loved Lucy.

So, I tolerated her rushing off after a call from Andrew, and their oddly close boss-assistant dynamic.

I never imagined it would end with her leaving me at the courthouse for him.

I've choked down this half-cooked meal for eight years.

Now I no longer want it.

Exhausted, I crashed here after cleaning up last night.

The next morning, Lucy's parents arrived unexpectedly.

Their first question was, "Did Lucy head to the office early today?"

I served them coffee, managing a smile.

"She didn't come home last night."

They looked visibly distressed, trying to reassure me, "Lucy's probably caught up in work; once she starts, she doesn't know when to stop."

I no longer cared about why Lucy hadn't come back, it was clear enough. I wanted to suggest not bothering to call, but they were already dialing.

As soon as Lucy answered, her father took over, voice filled with fury, "Where are you? Why did you leave Jake yesterday? What are you doing that you can't come home? Lucy, do you think you're untouchable?!"

A deep male voice in the background queried, "Lucy, who's that? Is Jake rushing you back?"

Silence fell.

Her parents looked awkwardly at me; I poured myself a coffee, unfazed.

"Lucy! Are you trying to kill me and your mom with worry? Come home and make it right with Jake!"

Lucy seemed to move to a quieter spot, her voice weary, "What has Jake complained about me now? Forget it. Tell him Andrew and I are just friends. He's unwell, and I'm looking after him, nothing more."

After that, the line went dead.

Complained about her, really?

I hadn't expected that letting her parents know where she was would be seen as complaining.

I laughed bitterly, grabbed my bag, and told them, "Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, I'm late for work, I've got to go."

"Wait for her here if you want."

Lucy's parents started to say something, but I left them with only my back to talk to.

A month ago, I'd started calling them mom and dad.

But now, everything was back to square one.

What happened at home, whether Lucy returned or at what time,

I stopped caring. I immersed myself in work all day, not even glancing at my phone's security app.

Strangely, the old me would have been restless, likely taking off work to find Lucy.

But now, I felt an unprecedented ease; my work productivity soared.

Only at lunch did I respond to a text from Lucy's parents, asking me not to be upset—they promised to scold Lucy and ensure she apologized.

I sent back a smiling emoji and left it at that.

I handed my project proposal to my boss, Anthony, who didn't even look at it but instead asked me to sit.

"Jake, are you really okay settling for just being an office assistant? I value your talents; don't compromise your future for anyone."

Initially, I had sought a transfer to be home in time to cook dinner for Lucy.

Anthony, who mentored me from the start, appreciated my skills and had been delaying my transfer request. Until today, I had even considered quitting.

But now, I nodded, "Actually, I've changed my mind. I'm staying on this project, but I'd like to apply for the new one overseas."

"Changing projects? Are you out of your mind, Jake? This project is the best we've got. Don't let romance cloud your judgment."

Anthony looked a bit irritated, remembering how I once asked for a quieter project for Lucy's sake.

I just smiled, "You've got it all wrong, man. I'm talking about the company's new international initiative."

Anthony paused, then smiled and tapped my forehead playfully.

"Finally seeing some sense, huh! I didn't bring it up earlier because I wasn't sure you were ready. You're not just messing with me, are you?"

Given my history, Anthony was naturally skeptical, promptly printing out the transfer papers for me to sign.

Instinctively, I reached for my phone to tell Lucy, but quickly shut it off.

I signed my name.

Lucy and I were done.

My choices no longer required her approval.