Belated Love is Not Worth Looking Back

A thunderstorm paralyzed the city, and I was trapped in an elevator all night. Try as I might, I couldn't get a hold of my husband Jack Stirke's phone.

As my claustrophobia nearly knocked me out, my phone lit up with a text from Jack: "Slammed right now, catch you later."

Shaking, I dialed 911 but accidentally caught a glimpse of Lily Casley, Jack's assistant updating on Instagram: "One call and my boss is here. Lucky me~" with a tag to Jack.

Normally, I'd have thrown a fit.

But this time, I just blocked and deleted him and her, and called for rescue.

Returning home disheveled, I left the divorce papers without a word. Meanwhile, Jack was frantic, searching everywhere for me.

He was on his knees, pleading, "Jen, I'll do anything for your forgiveness!"

I just laughed and said, "Then kill yourself."

***

The company sent us home early because of the severe thunderstorm warning.

While everyone else bolted, I stayed back to wrap up some work.

"Jen, need a lift?"

"Nah, my husband's got me. You go ahead, Sarah."

I smiled, turning down Sarah's offer, and my fingers automatically unlocked my phone.

There was a message that Jack sent at noon. "Stay put at the office, don't stray."

I knew Jack was trying to make amends.

A few weeks back, I ended up with food poisoning after a dinner party. When I called Jack for a ride to the hospital, he told me to stay put, anxious, but he never showed.

Eventually, I passed out and was taken to the hospital by a kind stranger.

While this good Samaritan was paying my hospital bill, I saw Jack at the registration desk comforting his assistant, Lily.

Lily was looking quite pale and leaning on him for support, and Jack seemed startled as he embraced her so tightly.

Yet he quickly regained his composure when he saw me.

"Jen, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.

I chuckled bitterly, "If not here, where else?"

He instantly got defensive and snapped at me in front of everyone, "You following me? Thinking I'm cheating? Lily's just sick and needed help."

Before I could respond, he whisked Lily into the examination room, leaving me behind, "Stop causing a scene, just go home!"

It dawned on him later that I hadn't been home in over two weeks.

In the past, I would've made excuses for him before he explained anything, convincing myself of his love.

But this time, I didn't seek reconciliation nor did I make excuses for him.

I checked the time, ready to leave.

Initially, the elevator seemed fine.

But no sooner had I stepped in than the lights started to flicker and then went completely dark.

The elevator plunged, and I braced myself against the wall, praying silently.

It finally stopped, and I tried calling Jack repeatedly, but his line was always busy.

I texted him desperately, hoping for a rescue.

Huddled in the corner, I struggled to breathe, my breaths short and rapid.

For a moment, I thought this might be the end.

After what felt like an eternity, my tightly gripped phone vibrated. It was a message from Jack, all business.

"Tied up, will get back to you."