Chapter 3: The Distance Between Us
486 Words
Morning came too soon. The sun’s rays slipped through the sheer curtains of my room, but they
brought no warmth, only the reminder that another day had begun — another day of pretending
everything was fine.
I forced myself out of bed, went through the motions of getting ready, and tried to steady my
heart. Today was important. The board had a major meeting with a potential investor, and as Vice
President, I had to be at my best.
The drive to the office felt longer than usual. Every red light felt like the universe asking me to
stop and think — to question if this was still the life I wanted. But I kept going, because what
choice did I have?
When I entered the building, I saw him. Brylle.
He stood near the elevator, talking to a woman — his new secretary. I didn’t catch her name. I
didn’t want to. She laughed softly at something he said, and for a moment, I saw the smile I used
to think was meant only for me.
My heart sank, but I straightened my back and walked past them.
“Good morning, Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis,” the elevator guard greeted politely.
I nodded with a tight smile. Brylle gave me a glance — just a glance — and said, “Morning.”
That was it. That was all I got from the man who once couldn’t go an hour without texting me I
love you.
The meeting went on, hours of presentations and negotiations. I spoke when I needed to, smiled
when it was expected, and acted the perfect Vice President. But inside, I felt empty.
At lunchtime, I stayed behind in the conference room, too drained to join the others. That’s when
my phone buzzed. A message.
Brylle: Don’t wait for me tonight. I have a dinner meeting.
I stared at the words, feeling the sting of rejection even in a simple text. No I miss you. No How
are you? Just cold, polite distance.
I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. I knew I had to accept it. I had to be strong.
But how do you stay strong when the person you love no longer reaches for your hand?
I thought about the woman I used to be — confident, full of dreams, and deeply in love. Now, I
felt like a shadow of her. Trapped between the duty I owed his family and the pieces of my heart
I tried so hard to keep together.
That night, I went home again to an empty house. I ate dinner alone, the clinking of my spoon
the only sound in the vast dining hall.
I sat there long after my plate was empty, staring at nothing, wondering how a marriage so full of
promise had become… this.
And the scariest part? I didn’t even know how to fix it anymore.
- Writer
