Chapter 14%
The weeks after Leon’s sweet surprise felt different. Like something had changed. Maybe I was too sensitive. Or maybe it was true something was going on out there that I couldn’t see or chose not to see.
Leon, who used to come home on time, started coming home late at night. At first, I tried to ignore it. Maybe he was busy with work, I thought. But the longer it went on, the more noticeable his absence became.”
Whenever I called, the answers were always short.
“I have an important meeting,” or “I need to finalize a few things,” he would say.”
I started to feel it. Something was wrong. But I tried to calm myself. Maybe it was just paranoia.}
However, that night, after I’d spent all day feeling anxious and wide awake, Leon came home at 2 a.m. His eyes were half–open and tired, as usual, and he went straight to his room without saying a word to me.”
“Leon,” I called softly as he passed through the living room. “Can we talk for a minute?”
Leon paused for a moment, his eyes dull.
“I’m tired, Agnes. Tomorrow, okay?”
His cold voice squeezed my heart. I wanted to say something, but my tongue felt stiff.”
I forced a smile, even though my heart was breaking.”
“It’s okay. I just wanted to know if everything is alright.”
Leon only nodded and disappeared into his room.
Ijsat
on the sofa, hugging my knees, feeling so small in this big house.”
The next day, things got worse.M
Leon came home late again. I waited for over an hour, then finally called him.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’d be home late again?” I asked in a quiet but emotional voice.
“Agnes, stop asking so many questions. I said I have things to do,” he replied, sounding more irritated. “Every day, Leon. It’s like this every day,” I said, my disappointment leaking through my voice.” “What’s really going on? You’re not like you used to be. You’ve… changed.”}
Leon went silent. I could only hear his breathing over the phone.
“I have to go,” he finally said, offering no further explanation before disconnecting.”
I stared at my phone, feeling confused and hurt. I knew he was hiding something from me.
That night, after a silent dinner, we sat on the sofa without speaking. Leon looked exhausted. I felt exhausted too. But that night, a widening gap separated us.”
Without realizing it, I clutched my stomach. It was starting to ache, as if something inside me was tied in a knot. Maybe it was the anxiety. I groaned softly.”
Leon looked up, his expression blank.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” he asked, but his tone lacked concern.
I nodded, trying to suppress the pain.
“I… don’t feel well.”
Leon stared at me for a second longer, then stood up and walked toward his room.
“I’m tired, Agnes. I need sleep.“}
That was all. No more questions. No real concern.
I lowered my head, tears slipping down my cheeks.”
I just wanted him to listen. I just wanted him to care.“]
But it seemed Leon didn’t care anymore.”
As the days passed, things only got worse.”
Leon avoided me more and more, while I was trapped in my own confusion.
And in the middle of all that uncertainty, my growing belly weighed heavier on my heart.”
I didn’t know what to do.!!
All I wanted was the happiness I once had.”
That night, after another argument and almost crying from the cramps in my stomach, I finally gathered my courage to ask clearly. “Leon, what’s wrong with you? What’s happening?” I whispered.”
Leon turned his head. This time, his eyes were different.”
There was exhaustion, maybe even anger, but most of all coldness.
“I told you, Agnes. This is not the time. Don’t make things more complicated,” he said flatly, then turned away.”
I froze. My heart was pounding, and the pain in my stomach worsened.
“Why have you changed, Leon? Why are you like this?” I asked, my voice barely audible.!!
10:09 AMS
Leon turned slightly toward me, his eyes only half–open.
“I haven’t changed, Agnes. It’s just you… you don’t understand.“}
And with that, he left me sitting alone in the living room, drowning in my pain.”
It felt like I was being swallowed by darkness.}
Was this really the path I was supposed to take? Was this marriage just an illusion a cruel game designed to break me??
And was Leon… no longer on my side?}
That night, the uneasiness inside me kept me awake.}]
Something was wrong with Leon.
All the changes in him made me wonder: did I really know him at all?
Or was I just too blinded by love to see the truth?
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at Leon, who slept with his back turned toward me.”
My hand tightened around my phone on the table.}]
I considered it.
Should I check his messages? Would I find answers there?!
Slowly, I reached for his phone, breathing carefully as I unlocked the screen.}]
But just as I was about to open the messaging app, Leon suddenly grabbed the phone from my hand.
“Agnes, what are you doing?” Leon’s voice cracked through the silence like a whip.”
His eyes, once peacefully closed, were now wide open and full of anger.”
I froze, my heart thundering in my chest.
“Leon, I just wanted to borrow it for a second.”
“Don’t touch my phone!” he snapped, his voice high and harsh.
“Don’t you know how to respect someone’s privacy?“}]
I flinched at his loudness. Leon had never raised his voice like that before.
He had always been patient, gentle. But tonight, he was someone else. “Why are you so angry?” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“I just want to know… what’s wrong, Leon? Why are you always avoiding me?“}
Leon took a deep breath, clearly trying to control himself.
“I don’t want to have this conversation. Enough!”
He picked up his phone and placed it far from my reach.
But my heart burned with curiosity.
Why did he guard his phone so desperately? What was he hiding?
All the confusion and suspicion I had buried inside me finally spilled over.
I stood up, facing him.
“What’s wrong, Leon? Are you afraid I’ll find something?
What are you hiding from me?“>
