You've been married to your wife Angelica for a few years now but recently you've started noticing how cold and distant she's been acting towards you. This has been going on for a few months now where she'll come home from work later than usual and basically completely ignore you for the entire evening, there's also been quite a lot of instances recently where you two have planned dates together just for her to forget them, leaving you alone.
Today is your birthday and naturally, you expect your wife of all people to remember but to your surprise that very morning plays out like any other and she doesn't wish you a happy birthday once before she leaves the house to go to work so you decide not to think too much about it and instead decide to go about your own day.
You go through your day like usual and are relaxing on the couch, watching some TV and you've noticed how late it's become yet Angelica still hasn't arrived back home which causes you to worry and so you decide to call her and she answers with is that she'll be home soon. A few more hours pass and it's currently 3 A.M and Angelica still hasn't arrived back home but then you hear it, the door opening but you remain seated in the kitchen where you've been waiting and then you see Angelica walk inside, rubbing her shoulder lightly before stopping and looking at you with tired eyes. "Oh, you're still awake, huh?" She says in a slightly curious but also nonchalant tone, almost as if she doesn't care about your presence.
"I think the better question is what you're doing coming back at 3 am?" I reply, looking her dead in the eye
She sighs audibly and crosses her arms over her chest, tilting her head slightly to the side as she looks at you with those tired eyes again. "I got caught up in work again... I'm sorry about that." She says nonchalantly before looking around the kitchen. "You want anything to eat or drink?" She asks more out of politeness than actual concern, her voice sounding almost bored as she continues to ignore your earlier question.
"Should have seen it coming..." he says as he looks down on the floor "You're cheating on me, aren't you?" he adds, his voice heavy and slow
Her eyes widen at the accusation, her expression turning into one of shock before quickly shifting back to annoyance and disbelief. "What kind of stupid thing is that to say?" She snaps, crossing her arms even tighter across her chest. "I'm tired from work, I forgot it was your birthday... Is that all you can think about? That I'd cheat on you?"
She takes a step closer to you, glaring down at you with those green eyes. "You know me better than that."
"I thought I knew you better, but of course. I can only cope for so long, it's obvious to me...and with how defensive you're being right now..." he continues slowly, each word more difficult to say than the last "Why did you do this to me..." he can feel his throat tightening as he puts his face in his palms
Her expression softens slightly and she takes another step closer to you, reaching out with one hand to gently cup your cheek. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have acted this way," she whispers, her voice quiet but filled with sincerity. "It's just... work has been so stressful lately and I don't know how to deal with it all."
She leans in closer still, their bodies inches apart now as she continues to look into your eyes. "I do care about you... I really do,"
"It's not about work. You barely even want to talk to me, you're out most of the time and when you're not you still ignore me." he replies, not lifting his face up still "Was I...not good enough? Is there someone else now?..."
Her expression darkens as you speak these words, anger bubbling up inside her once again. "I never said you weren't good enough!" she snaps, pulling away from your touch and taking a step back. "And just because I have friends at work doesn't mean there's someone else! You always make everything about yourself."
Angelica takes another deep breath, trying to calm down before continuing more quietly. "It's not you... it's me. I guess we just grew apart.
"Yea sure Angelica...'friends'." he replies in a dark tone "So I swore to spend my entire life with you...only to get told we 'grew apart'?" he asks, getting slowly angry himself
Her anger flares up again at your words and the accusation in your tone. "You know what? You're right! I should have just left you instead of staying married to someone who makes me miserable!" She turns away from you, her back now facing you as she takes another step back towards the kitchen counter.
Angelica clasps her hands together tightly in front of her chest, trying to calm herself down once more before speaking again. "Look, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings...
his heart drops at her words "I make you feel miserable? What about all the times I got ignored? What about all the things we did together? You literally forgot my birthday" he replies, standing up, the hurt in his voice very noticeable "I...don't talk to me" he says as he turns around and scurries to get his car keys and go somewhere else
As you storm out of the room, her words echo in your ears. The hurt in her voice mingles with the anger as she yells after you, "You're right! You are nothing but a selfish bastard who only cares about himself!" The slamming of the front door reverberates through the house as Angelica stands there, hands shaking and eyes filled with tears. She breathes heavily, trying to calm herself down before walking over to the couch and collapsing onto it.
"I'm sorry..."
he walks back into the room gently and says "Wait Angelica, I realised I have only one thing to ask..." he says as he waits for her to turn around, he doesn't sound angry anymore
Her head snaps up at your voice and she turns to face you warily, wiping away the tears that have begun to trickle down her cheeks. "What do you want?" she asks, her tone still shaky but less accusatory than before. Her eyes search yours for some sign of forgiveness or understanding, but all she sees is anger and hurt etched into your features.
"I know I have never done this before but...." he begins slowly "Let me check your phone right now...." he says, looking at her dead in the eyes as if giving her a choice
Her heart races as she hears your request. On one hand, she wants to protect her privacy and keep whatever secrets she has hidden away. But on the other hand... she knows that there must be some explanation for why she's been acting this way. She hesitates for a moment before slowly nodding her head in agreement. "Okay," she says softly, swallowing hard as she hands you her phone.
"Just so you know i'm praying to god I didn't get cheated on" he replies as he takes the phone and opens his laptop, plugging the phone with a usb in it "Alright there you can have it back" he says after a bit as he gives the phone back to her, now that he has all he needs on the laptop
Taking her phone back, she glances at the time before looking up at you again. "What do you plan to do now?" she asks quietly, her hands resting on her lap as she waits for your reply. She's still uncertain about what's happening between the two of them, but a part of her is hopeful that maybe this can bring them closer together instead of driving them further apart.
he checks thoroughly but doesn't find anything "Well atleast you didn't cheat on me on my birthday.." he mumbles, a part of him greatly relieved "Still though, you do seem to have way more fun with these 'friends' of yours than me." his heart weakens at that realisation "Thank you for letting me check, I have nothing more to say other than sorry for accusing you."
She exhales slowly, running her fingers through her hair before looking back up at you. "I'm sorry too... I shouldn't have acted the way I did," she says quietly, her voice laced with sincerity this time. "Maybe we could try and find a way to make things better between us? Talk more, spend more time together?"
Her gaze drops back down to her lap as she continues, "I know it's going to take work... but I don't want us to just give up on our marriage."
"I'll never give up on us, i'm just...tired." he says as he sits down on the couch "Your hair is looking nice today by the way"
She smiles slightly, glancing over at you before running her fingers through her hair again. "Thanks... It's been a while since someone last complimented me on my hair." Her gaze lingers on your face for a moment before looking away once more, unsure of what else to say or do in this awkward situation.
"So... What would you like to do now?" she asks carefully, her voice still quiet and hesitant as she waits for your reply.
"You can go sleep on the bed I suppose...i'm really sad right now so i'll just sleep here on the couch" he says slowly as he lays down
She nods, standing up and walking over to the bed before climbing under the covers. As she lies down, her mind races with thoughts about what happened tonight and where things might go from here. Part of her is hopeful that maybe they can work things out while another part wonders if it's too late for their relationship.
Eventually, exhaustion wins out and Angelica falls asleep, her body curled up into a tight ball beneath the sheets.