You said today you married me because I was convenient! she shouted. He shrugged. So what? Is that so bad?
Are you wearing that old dressing gown again? Edward wrinkled his nose as he fastened his shirt cuff, as if preparing for battle.
Emily froze, the coffee cup in her hands still steaming. The heat stung her fingers, but she didnt pull away.
Its comfortable.
Yeah, convenient, he scoffed, adjusting his tie in the mirror. Like everything about you.
She lowered her eyes. The coffee had stopped steaming. The surface had turned black, reflecting the ceiling like a broken little mirror.
Ed, you
What? He jingled his keys, the metal clinking against his wedding ring.
Nothing.
The door slammed so hard the porcelain on the shelf rattled.
***
They met at work. She was the quiet accountant who hid her hair in a messy bun. He was the confident manager whose laughter echoed down the corridors. Edward courted her with roses still glistening with dew, candlelit dinners where he ordered her steak medium-rare without asking what she liked.
Youre not one of those women who whine about little things, are you? he asked on their third date, straightening her napkin for her.
No, she smiled, ignoring the warning bells in her head.
Good. My ex was always causing scenes
She didnt dwell on it. Then came the wedding, the children, the house. Everything as it should be.
Only sometimes, when she tried on a dress with bare shoulders, hed say, Something simpler would suit you better.
Or when she applied lipstick, hed mutter, Whats the point? Youre just staying home.
Once, when she bought a new floral perfume, he wrinkled his nose. Smells cheap. Like that Linda from accounting.
She never wore it again.
For her birthday, he bought her a vacuum cleaner.
The old one was squeaking, he explained as she unwrapped it. Youre always sighing when you clean.
She thanked him. Then stared out the window until the kids called her to cut the cake.
But she stayed silent. Because, all things considered, he was a good husband. He didnt hit her, didnt drink, brought home the money.
Wasnt that enough?
***
Did you ever love me?
The same evening. The same conversation. Edward glanced away, as if checking the window latch.
Of course Youre the perfect wife.
Thats not an answer.
He sighed like she was a child struggling with simple maths.
Emily, whats gotten into you? Everythings fine.
Fine?! Her voice tremblednot with tears, but with the fury finally breaking free. You said today you married me because I was convenient!
So? Is that so bad?
She stared at him as if seeing him for the first timethe tan on his neck from tennis with colleagues, not her. The crease between his brows, not from worry, but irritation at having to explain himself.
What about Charlotte?
His face twitched, as if someone had yanked a hidden string.
Whats she got to do with this?
You loved her.
Yes, he admitted sharply, and that single word held more feeling than all their years together. But she wasnt wife material.
Something inside her snappeda quiet click, like a broken heel. She could still walk, but not the same way.
So I was the obedient, sensible replacement.
Stop being dramatic, he waved her off like a buzzing fly. Weve got kids. A home. What more do you want?
***
She hesitated.
Maybe he was right. Maybe love was a luxury, and family mattered more? Emily stood by the window, watching raindrops smear the glass. Her fingerprints marked the paneshed been standing here so often lately, as if waiting for the world outside to give her an answer.
And Edward Edward carried on as if nothing had changed.
A week later, seeing she hadnt left, he stopped pretending altogether.
Pasta again? He poked at his plate like it was evidence of her incompetence. Couldve at least used some seasoning.
You said you dont like spicy, she replied, but her voice sounded distant, like someone else was speaking.
So what? He pushed the plate away as if it were garbage. Charlotte always used to
Emily stood abruptly. The chair scraped the floor, leaving yet another scratchanother invisible crack in their marriage.
If you miss Charlotte so much, go to her!
Dont be ridiculous, he laughed, and the sound cut deeper than a shout. Where would I go? You know Im comfortable with you.
Thats when she finally understood.
He wasnt trying to keep her. Not because he was sure of her lovebut because he was sure of her obedience.
She noticed it everywhere now.
In how he no longer corrected her outfitsjust walked past without looking. In how his gaze slid right over her, as if she were part of the furniture. In how his calm stretches lasted weeksno fights, no complaints, just nothing.
And the worst part? That nothing was louder than any scream.
She stood in the kitchen, gripping the counter, and realised: he wasnt even angry. He was just waiting for her to accept it. Like shed accepted the vacuum cleaner. Like shed stopped wearing perfume. Like shed convinced herself she wasnt the type to whine about little things.
Then something inside her shifted.
Not pain, not angerfreedom.
Because if someone doesnt love you but still gets angry, at least you still exist to them.
But if they stop being angry
Youre already gone.
***
A month later, she filed for divorce.
At first, Edward didnt believe her. He walked into the kitchen where Emily was packing the childrens things and froze, as if facing a stranger.
Youre serious? he asked, uncertainty in his voice for the first time in years.
She didnt look up, carefully folding tiny jumpers.
Yes.
Over something this petty? He stepped forward, and her shoulders tensed.
Its not petty, she said quietly. Im not furniture.
He laughedsharp, nervous.
Oh, here we go with the drama. You always exaggerate.
She finally met his eyes. His face was painfully familiar, but now she saw it differently: the tight lips, the narrowed gazehe was annoyed, not because he was losing her, but because his convenient world was cracking.
Im not exaggerating, she said. Im just tired of being convenient.
Edward was silent, then snatched his keys from the table.
Fine! You think Ill struggle? Look at youyou cant even cook properly.
She flinchedthe old familiar sting. Once, those words wouldve made her doubt herself. Now? They rang hollow.
Maybe, she agreed. But someone else disagrees.
His face twisted.
Ah, so thats it! Theres someone else, is there? He smirked. Look at youwhod even want you?
The old pain flared, and for a second, she almost said, Youre right, Im sorry, like she had a hundred times before.
But then she realised: she didnt want to.
I do, she said firmly. I want me.
Edward stilled. He hadnt expected that.
Youve lost it, he hissed. What about the kids? Youre not thinking of them!
She closed her eyes for a second. The kids Yes, she thought of them every minute.
Theyll learn what self-respect looks like, she replied.
Oh, spare me! He rolled his eyes. Youre just selfish. Weve got everythinga house, stability And youre throwing it away over nonsense?
Emily looked at him and realised: he genuinely didnt understand. To him, it really was nonsense.
For you, maybe, she said. Not for me.
He turned away, tapping his keys against his palm.
Fine. Youll regret this.
On the day she moved the last of her things, Edward suddenly asked, You really think youll find someone better?
She paused at the door, feeling the breeze on her face.
Better? she repeated. I dont know. But someone who sees menot just an empty space.
He said nothing.
She stepped outside, where the air smelled like rain and freedom.
***
Two years passed.
Emily married a man who kissed her shoulder every morning, even when she grumbled it was too early. Who whispered, Youre beautiful, when she was in an old dressing gown with messy hair and tired eyes. Who once spotted that same vacuum cleaner on sale, laughed, and bought
