Troy stayed with me at the hospital for the next few days. He came on time, every morning. Brought me warm broth in expensive thermoses, sat by my bed during checkups, even held my hand in the middle of the night when the pain got unbearable.
If this were six months ago–hell, even six weeks ago–I would’ve been overjoyed.
But now? Now, there was only emptiness. It’s strange how you can chase someone for six years, and yet it takes only one moment to completely let go.
On the day I was discharged, I made my way to the parking lot slowly, head still sore and heart… oddly calm.
And then I saw Bianca. She was sitting in the passenger seat of Troy’s car, her glossy hair tied up in a lazy ponytail, her fingers scrolling casually through her phone.
When she saw me, her face twisted like I was the one invading her space.
Troy noticed the look and frowned. “Bianca, didn’t we talk about this?”
Bianca immediately put on a show–lowered her head, bit her lip, eyes glistening. “Thalia… I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight that night. I didn’t mean to hit you. I just…”
She sniffled and turned her eyes to Troy. “You haven’t paid attention to me in years, not since you married her. I thought if I acted out, maybe you’d finally see me again.”
I stood there silently, gripping the strap of my bag.
Troy turned to me and said, voice steady, as if none of it had happened, “Bianca wants to stay with us for a few days. Let’s keep things civil.”
I nodded once, walked to the back seat, and got in without a word.
On the drive home, Troy and Bianca sat up front, their silhouettes outlined by the city lights flickering past the windshield.
I leaned my head against the glass and watched the buildings blur. But even without looking, I could feel it.
The way Troy kept glancing at her like she was something fragile.
Bianca giggled suddenly and lifted her phone. “Troy, what do you think of this guy? He just messaged me. Pretty cute, huh?”
Troy’s hands visibly tightened on the steering wheel.
“Delete him.”
“What?” she pouted. “Come on. I’m twenty–three. I’m not allowed to have a crush?”
“Delete. Now.”
His voice dropped to a tone that didn’t allow discussion.
Bianca sighed dramatically, but did as she was told, muttering, “You’re worse than a boyfriend…”
Troy didn’t respond. But I saw the tension in his jaw. The way he clenched his teeth. He
was jealous.
Chantar A
2/2 38.7%
22:08 Sat, 24 May
was jealous.
56%1
When we got home, I didn’t bother joining them for dinner. I went straight to the bedroom, shut the door behind me, and let the silence swallow me whole.
From beyond the walls, I could hear the soft clatter of utensils, Bianca’s laughter, and the hum of a movie playing in the living room, sounds that painted a picture of comfort and warmth I had never experienced in my marriage.
In two years, Troy and I had never once shared a meal with music playing in the background, never laughed together, never even touched like that.
Wrapping the covers over my head, I sank into the bitterness that had settled in my chest like something sour left to rot. I don’t know how long I stayed like that, but eventually, the house quieted.
Thirst drove me out of bed, and I padded toward the kitchen, only to freeze as I opened the door. Troy was in the living room, crouched beside the couch, staring at Bianca.
She was asleep, her knees tucked up and a blanket half covering her, and he was watching her with an expression I had never seen on him before. It wasn’t brotherly. It was soft, reverent like he was looking at the sun.
For the first time, I saw him without walls. Bianca stirred in her sleep, murmured his name, and reached for him, whispering, “Troy… don’t let me go. I love you. Only you.”
She pulled him closer unconsciously, and their lips brushed accidentally at first. But he didn’t pull away. His pupils dilated, his breath caught, and then he kissed her with no
hesitation.
22:08 Sat, 24 May
