Im sorry for how things turned out
Mihai, are you sure you took everything? Want to check once more? I called out, halted at the closed bathroom door.
Ana, leave me alone! Ive got it all a full thermos, you saw he shouted over the showers roar. Yet his voice trembled, or perhaps I imagined it?
I saw the thermos. What did you put in it? I whispered, stepping back.
Ana, make me a coffee, please! Strong. No milk, he added calmly, turning off the water.
I walked to the kitchen, grabbed the kettle without a word, poured water, added ground coffee, a pinch of salt just how he likes it. We own a coffee machine, but Mihai prefers the tea I brew. Youre so caring, hed said the night before, arriving late from work and noticing, as my grandmother taught, how I wrapped dinner in a towel so it wouldnt get cold.
Lately hes been constantly late supposedly for work. Hes climbing the career ladder, prepping for a promotion. And I stayed in the background, cooking, walking, waiting.
This nectar smells divine! Mihai declared, entering the kitchen and flicking the wet hair from his forehead. He sat, reaching for the cup.
Ana, the courier is coming today Id ordered a car cover. Please receive it, pay on delivery, he said, dropping a teaspoon of sugar into his coffee.
Of course. Same as always, I replied, sitting across from him.
This trip came at the worst time, he sighed. But I cant turn it down. You understand its a chance, maybe the only one. A senior manager role no joke.
I know I didnt realize the position would require wandering the province.
Bosses and their whims. I have about half an hour left; Ill work from my phone.
He stood, went to the other room, leaving his cup untouched. No big deal. He was already on edge.
I reached for his cup, and the phone vibrated a message. I opened it.
*Ana, Mihai is lying. Theres no business trip. Hes flying to Italy with Ruxanda Moraru. Stop him before its too late. Hell ruin his life.*
Adriana. His younger sister.
Something clicked. He with Ruxanda? No way. A joke? But Adriana isnt the type to joke about this, and she wouldnt lie.
The room seemed to spin; the air grew as heavy as concrete. I could barely breathe, struggled to my feet, poured water over my hands, and flopped back into the chair.
I wanted to scream, smash everything. All that remained in my mind was: *Why?*
Fury clenched my fists. I wanted to rush to him, cause a scene, rip off his mask. But I didnt. It wasnt worth it.
Hed leave. Id give him a surprise, not with drama but with actions.
I opened the banking app. In our joint account sat one million two hundred lei. Strangely, the amount had already been reduced by three hundred thousand. My earnings fees from projects, nights spent working were there, while he was siphoning my savings for his vacation romance.
I knew about Ruxanda. Mihai himself had mentioned her, and Adriana once brought her up. A highschool fling, impulsive. He left her twice first for an older man, then for a futureoriented guy. Now shes back, and Mihai fell again, and again he lies.
He could at least be honest: *Ana, I like someone else. Im sorry.* That would hurt, but not be this low. Instead, he acted like a rodent stealing money, fabricating the trip, filling his thermos
Well. Ill take the rest of the money. Today. Every last leu. Then divorce. His stuff shipped to his parents via courier.
I checked the calendar tomorrow at noon is a crucial online presentation. If it goes well, Ill take a vacation. Not Italy. Maybe Spain, or somewhere hes never set foot.
Ana, Im leaving early, he announced, entering the kitchen dressed sharply with a tie.
Safe travels. Have a successful trip, I replied, clutching the cup.
What tone is that?
You think its something else.
Ill miss you
I doubt youll have time for that.
Wont you help with the thermos?
Ill just wash the dishes.
Fine, Im going.
Go.
The door slammed. Mihai had no idea she was leaving for good. Tomorrow Ill change my clothes.
I sank into the chair and broke into bitter tears from pain, from humiliation, from betrayal.
Another message from Adriana:
*Ana, are you okay?*
I wiped my eyes, dialed her number.
Adriana, how did you find out?
A friend of Ruxanda told me. Shes back with Mihai, and he fell again. Im sorry this happened
Thanks for telling me. I didnt stop him. Let him go.
Hes an idiot. Shell step on him a third time.
Thats his choice. Adriana, dont say I know.
I dont even want to talk to him. Im fed up!
Thanks. We have to keep our friendship, even if we divorce.
Of course, Ana. Stay strong.
I opened the banking app again. About a hundred thousand lei remained. No rush. I calmed down. Ill transfer everything to my mother, sent the money, hung up, and watched the sunset through the window, knowing tomorrow will rise anew, without him.
