Tear to wither away

Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Secret Meetings

Anne and Theodore began meeting discreetly—walks in the park at dusk, hidden picnics by the duck pond. He introduced her to his dog, Max, a loyal golden retriever with a perpetually wagging tail and one floppy ear. Max bounded with joy at Anne’s arrival, dropping a slobbery tennis ball at her feet. “He likes you,” Theodore laughed, tossing the ball into the grass. Anne’s paintings shifted to warmer tones—oranges like sunset, greens like new leaves—inspired by Theodore’s gentle nature, his quiet humor, the way he quoted Neruda while feeding ducks.

Sarah noticed the change at their weekly coffee date. “You’re *glowing*,” she said, narrowing her eyes over her latte. “Who’s the guy?” Anne confided partially—*a friend from book club*—swearing her to secrecy. “If Vincent finds out…” Sarah squeezed her hand. “Let him. You’re allowed happiness.” Vincent, consumed by Aria, barely noticed Anne’s absences. He came home smelling of hotel soap, claiming “late listings,” and fell asleep on the couch with the TV blaring.

Theodore made sure to make all moment with Anne enjoyed he had taken it upon himself to make her divorce her husband and marry him at all cost , cause all he wants is to be possessive of her and nothing more.

While Aria was in her office working on a bright sunny day the older workers including Vincent stood behind the building and smoked their cigarettes and gently tossed them on the streets the manager who was among them suddenly turned towards Vincent with a cheeky grin at the corners of his lips

"Hey Vince (the name he usually address Vincent) heard you and Aria have been hanging out lately does that mean you have started to enjoy each other's company so badly that you have to be sleeping at her apartment uhh". Vincent lips twiched abit at the question his boss asked him.

"it's seems like that Aria girl is so into you just see the way she brags among her co workers". Another male worker commented

"Hey I have seen you seem not to have any interest in your wife again would you give me your blessing and let me pursue her once you get a div...". Before he could complete his words Vincent had stroke a blow a him making the man fall on the ground with a loud Thud with anger and frustration Vincent was punching him really hard making even the men around them try and separate them.

"Don't you have talk about my wife ever again or else I would kill you". Vincent said and stormed out of the place in fury.