He wrapped his arms around Lily, comforting her with a voice so tender it could wring tears from a stone.
I'd spent my best years behind him, but now, I was the punchline.
He looked at me, eyes full of a cold breakup. As if to say. I was a smear in his life.
Luckily, Lily was rushed to the hospital just in time and the baby was fine.
I bailed early and headed back to what barely feels like home anymore.
There was a time when James wouldn't even come home, dodging my affection like it was the plague.
He thought I was trying to trap him with the kid.
When the door swung open, it wasn't what I expected—no yelling, no drama, as if nothing had happened.
James pulled out a slice of cake and offered it to me. "Why'd you jet off so early? I couldn't find you anywhere."
He didn't bother with the baby talk, treating me like I was clueless.
I pushed his hand away, laughing it off, "Congrats, James, you're a dad now."
James's eyes narrowed, a clear sign he was ticked off.
"I can explain."
Staring at him, all I felt was this deep, bitter ache.
It's pointless to bang your head against a wall you can't break through.
"James, let's just get a divorce."
James froze, then in disbelief, grabbed my neck and shoved me onto the sofa, "Dare to say that again?"
"Without me, you'd be nowhere!"
Say it a hundred times, it'd still be the same.
But right then, I stayed silent, scared he might actually choke me out.
James's mood swings were off the charts; he'd do anything to get his way.
Struggling to breathe, my nails dug into his arms, drawing blood.
Suddenly, he let go of my neck.
After what felt like forever, he slumped against my shoulder.
"Grace, I'm sorry."
"We'll talk another time."
He tossed the cake into the trash from the coffee table in one smooth move.
Gasping for air, I watched him storm out and slam the door behind him.
Just like that, again.
Every time things go south, he's the one who calls it quits. He drives me mad, then plays the peacemaker.
Maybe I'm just a glass of water for James to quench his thirst on his journey.
So he doesn't really care how I feel.
The next time we met was at a promotional event for my new comics.
I didn't expect the sponsors to have Lily show up, with James tagging along.
Sitting down, James shot me a vague glance but kept mum.
James is usually so meticulous and reports every detail of his day.
Apart from seeing Lily Evans, he only mentioned some client meetings.