Chapter 2

Back at our apartment, the silence was deafening.

Empty takeout containers cluttered the coffee table, his jacket was tossed over the couch, and a gaming controller lay discarded on the floor.

Normally, I would have cleaned it all up without a second thought.

Tonight, I didn't want to touch a single thing.

I walked into the bedroom and switched on the small bedside lamp.

Warm amber light spilled over the crystal globe on my nightstand.

He had given it to me, claiming he bought it on a trip to Europe. I found out later he just ordered it off Amazon for twelve bucks.

I never called him out on it.

Over these three years, I had made countless excuses for him.

When he forgot my birthday, I told myself he was busy.

When he forgot our anniversary, I told myself men were just careless.

When he got way too close with Amber, I told myself they were just friends, and that I shouldn't be petty.

I had turned myself into the perfect idiot.

When I woke up the next morning, the other side of the bed was empty.

Tyler hadn't come home.

I sat up and checked my phone. It was already past ten.

He had sent a few messages:

"What time do you get off work? Come home early and cook tonight. Amber said she's craving your sweet and sour ribs."

"Oh, and Amber just bought a new coat. Check it out and tell me if it looks good on her. She sent me a picture, I’m forwarding it to you."

The third message was a photo. Amber was wearing a cream-colored coat, snapping a mirror selfie with a sweet, radiant smile.

I set the phone down and got ready.

I put on a fresh outfit, applied some light makeup, and walked out the door.

I didn't go to work.

I called in sick to take care of a few things.

First, I went to the bank and transferred every single cent out of the joint account Tyler and I shared.

The account was under my name, and every penny had been saved by me.

Tyler made more money than I did, but most of his paycheck went toward clubbing, poker, and buying drinks for his friends.

Every dollar in that savings account came from me cutting corners and penny-pinching.

Next, I went to the mobile carrier store and got a new SIM card.

Finally, I stopped by my office to submit a formal request for a week of paid leave.

My manager asked if everything was alright at home. I told her there was a family emergency.

She nodded and told me to take all the time I needed.

By the time I got back to the apartment, it was nearly dark outside.

The living room lights were blazing. Tyler was already home.

He was lounging on the couch, holding his phone to his ear, deep in conversation.

Hearing the front door click, he glanced at me and pointed his chin toward a grocery bag on the coffee table, signaling me to start cooking.

I slipped into my house slippers and walked over.

He hung up the phone, sounding annoyed.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Amber said she'd be here by six. It's almost six now, and you haven't even touched the groceries."

I stood in front of the table, looking at the bag.

Ribs, tenderloin, fresh greens, tofu. He had bought them, but every single item was something Amber loved.

"Tyler," I said calmly.

"What?"

"I'm not cooking tonight."

He froze, as if he hadn't heard me properly.

A couple of seconds passed before his brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"

"I said, I'm not cooking."

He set his phone down, sat up straight, and glared at me.

His gaze was filled with confusion and impatience, but not an ounce of concern.

"Maya, what is your problem today?"

He spoke as if he were trying to appease a bratty child.

"It's just dinner. Amber isn't a stranger. Do you really have to be so dramatic?"

"I have things to do."

"What things?"

"Work stuff. I need to take care of it."

"Didn't you take time off today?"

"Because I took time off, work piled up."

I kept my voice completely steady.

Tyler’s scowl deepened.

He glared at me, then glanced at the groceries on the table, and finally let out a heavy, irritated sigh.

"Fine. Go do your work. I’ll order delivery."

His voice was dripping with resentment.

"At least unpack the food and put it in the fridge so it doesn't go bad."

I didn't move an inch.

"Maya?"

"Put it away yourself."

His expression darkened.

"Is this because I didn't come home last night?"

"I told you, I went out drinking with Jake and the guys until two in the morning."

"I didn't want to wake you up when I got back, so I crashed on Jake's couch."

I looked at him lying to my face without batting an eye.

Did he think the video on Jake’s Instagram story—the one where Tyler had his arm around Amber singing karaoke—was an AI hallucination?

I didn't bother exposing him.

"I'm not mad. I just have things to take care of. I'm heading out."

I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

His voice boomed from behind me.

"Maya, hold on a second! What the hell is wrong with you today?"

I didn't look back.