Just Another Lie

After Talia left, I quietly went through my nighttime routine.

There was no heartbreak this time—none of the soul-crushing pain I felt the last time.

I guess that's how it goes—the first time cuts deep, and the second time just stings. Someone that rotten wasn't worth a single tear.

I went straight to bed.

In the middle of the night, I woke to the sound of loud knocking at the door.

It was Waverly Joelle—Talia's best friend from college. She was half-carrying Talia, who was dead drunk.

Right in front of Waverly, I helped Talia onto the bed, brought her some chamomile tea, and tried to get her to drink a few sips.

As she watched me move around the room, Waverly suddenly spoke. "Tobias, Talia really was heartbroken over Caelum. That's why she got so emotional when she saw him today."

The mere mention of Caelum was enough to expose her completely.

"When she first started her business, she was flat broke, and Caelum dumped her to marry into a wealthy family. She never got over it. Luckily, you were there to help her through it. That's the only reason she got to where she is today."

I forced out a smile.

After walking Waverly out, I went back to the bathroom and slammed the towel I had been wringing into the washbasin. Water splashed up, soaking part of Talia's clothes. A stain spread through the white shirt she had changed into before going out.

She had showered and put on fresh clothes, yet she still came back filthy.

I turned to leave, repulsed—but she suddenly grabbed my wrist and murmured, "Caelum… Caelum… don't go. Please… give it to me… just one more time…"

The sound of that name slipping from her lips made my stomach turn. I yanked my hand free and stumbled into the bathroom to dry heave into the toilet.

It wasn't until I was completely spent that I managed to steady myself against the wall and stand up.

For a brief second, I felt sorry for the haggard man staring back at me in the mirror.

How had I managed to endure living with someone this filthy for so long?

I made up my mind right then and there—I would call a lawyer first thing in the morning and have the divorce papers drafted.

…

The next day at work, I heard Talia had hired a new executive assistant.

One of my colleagues leaned in and whispered, "That guy looks completely useless—doesn't even know how to use Excel."

"But Ms. Grant specifically asked for him. Weird, right?"

"You think she's into him or something?"

As they gossiped, Caelum's face flashed in my mind. I smiled and shook my head. "Who knows? Whatever the boss does isn't our business."

The next second, I heard Talia's voice behind me. "Tobias, come with me."

No one at the office knew I was Talia's husband. She insisted on hiding it to avoid workplace drama, so in front of everyone else, she treated me just like any other employee.

I followed her into her office.

Once the door shut, she came over and clung to my arm, speaking softly. "Tobias, can I talk to you about something?"

"What is it?"

"My college friend Caelum is looking for a job. I thought maybe he could try working here. What do you think?"

I gently pulled away and answered coolly. "Sure."

"I just happen to need a new assistant. Let him work under me for a while—I'll train him myself. You're not mad, right?"

I kept my tone even. "Why would I be mad? You're just helping out a friend."

Her gaze shifted away from mine as her fingers gripped my shoulder. "By the way… Waverly and I drank a bit too much last night. Did I cause you any trouble? You're not mad, are you?"

She was fishing, testing my reaction—and honestly, it disgusted me a little. 'You want to play the forbidden game, and you're concerned about how I think?' I mused.

Out loud, I said flatly, "I'm not mad."

"Liar. You moved into the guest room. You expect me to believe you're not mad?"

I snorted in amusement and said it plainly. "You got drunk and spent the whole night calling out someone else's name. How exactly was I supposed to sleep?"

Nothing Left To Hide

Talia's expression shifted instantly, her body tense. "Who did I call out for?"

"It was too muffled. I couldn't catch it."

Relief washed over her face as she relaxed again. She tried to come closer, reaching out to hug me. "If you didn't hear it clearly, how did you know it wasn't your name?"

A wave of disgust rose in my chest. I leaned away, unable to hold it in anymore. "I said that to spare you. Do you seriously not know who you were calling out for?"

A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she quickly masked it, furrowing her brows and playing it cool.

Then, she started lashing out. "Tobias Stroud, why are you always so paranoid? When Leon was interning at the company, you were constantly suspicious of everything. Don't you have anything better to do? If you've got so much free time, maybe focus on improving yourself. Just because you're my husband doesn't mean you get to drift through your job at this company."

Her words were so absurd that I almost laughed. "Ms. Grant, have you already forgotten who stood by your side when things were at their worst? Who helped you build this company from the ground up?"

Perhaps the mention of our early days touched a nerve, as her expression instantly darkened.

"What's that supposed to mean, Tobias? You want credit? Are you trying to say all my success came from you?"

In all our years of marriage, I had never once demanded anything. I willingly stayed behind the scenes, letting her shine. And yet, in her eyes, everything I had done meant nothing.

It was a slap in the face.

I couldn't bear to listen anymore. I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm forcefully. "I'm not done talking. What kind of attitude is that?"

I lost my balance and stumbled, crashing into the glass coffee table. My arm hit the edge hard, slicing open a gash that bled down to my wrist.

Talia's anger vanished instantly. "Tobias, are you okay?"

She was about to help me up, but just then, someone knocked on the door. She immediately pulled her hand back and retreated behind her desk like nothing had happened.

My chest hollow, I pushed myself off the floor and opened the door to find Caelum standing behind it.

He greeted me with a smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sorry. Am I interrupting something?"

I ignored him and walked off.

…

Back at my desk, a few coworkers leaned in to gossip.

"Did you see? The new guy's desk is right outside the boss' office. All she has to do is look up, and there he is."

"Damn, that's bold."

"Real bold."

I nodded absently, brushing off their comments. Pulling out my phone, I sent a text to my lawyer. 'Draft the divorce papers. Make it fast.'

The Price Of Loyalty

That night, the company hosted a team-building event.

Because he was the new hire, Caelum was swarmed by coworkers urging him to drink.

The manager raised a glass. "Caelum, you've only just arrived and already landed the role of Executive Assistant to the Chair. That's impressive—you've got to drink to that!"

Caelum protested halfheartedly but gave in under the group’s teasing. One glass after another, he soon started to look visibly drunk.

Talia sat in silence the whole time, quietly watching him.

Then, the manager handed me a drink. "Tobias, you're the only one at this table who hasn't toasted yet. Come on, give the new hire a proper welcome!"

I took the glass, but before I could say anything, Caelum said, "Buddy, please… I'm begging you. Let me go. I really can't drink anymore."

He made it look like I was the one forcing every glass on him.

I set the drink down without a word, but the others kept egging Caelum on until he clutched his mouth and staggered out of the room.

Talia's expression turned cold. She slammed her cutlery down and snapped at me. "Tobias, have you had enough?"

Everyone fell silent, startled by her outburst. Suddenly, I became the villain of the night.

"If you want to drink, fine—but dragging everyone into bullying him? You think that's funny?"

Before I could reply, she shoved her chair back and stormed out of the room.

The table buzzed with awkward glances. The manager leaned over and whispered, "Tobias, I'm really sorry. We were just trying to lighten the mood. I didn't think Ms. Grant would take it that way…"

"She doesn't seriously think you told us to get him drunk, does she?"

"Man, I feel bad—you're taking the heat for nothing."

"It's fine," I said, managing a smile.

If she wanted to blame me for something, she would always find a reason. In Talia's eyes, I was just a jealous, bitter man. That was the role I played now, whether I liked it or not. Any sense of love or loyalty we once shared was long gone.

Around me, the gossip continued.

"This stuff's barely five percent. Is he seriously that drunk?"

"Right? Maybe he's faking it."

"Trying to get sympathy. A classic move…"

I stopped listening. Suddenly, my phone buzzed—it was a call from my lawyer.

…

After stepping out to take it, I was on my way back when I turned a corner and saw Talia and Caelum. She had him backed against the wall.

"What more do you want from me?" she asked coldly. "Sign the agreement, stay with me, and I'll give you 150,000 a month. How's that?"

I was about to walk away—until I heard Caelum snap, "Never!"

I froze. Maybe he wasn't the kind of man I thought he was.

Talia scoffed. "You sure about that? That night, you came to me. And you're drowning in debt. Doesn't it get exhausting, having people chase you down every day?"

Caelum, shaking with rage, slapped her across the face. "You bitch. Is this payback?"

"Yes! Either be with me, or I'll blacklist you from the entire industry. You'll never work again." Then, her voice softened. "Caelum… you have to know, no one in this world will ever love you more than I do."

He stared at her, eyes burning. "Talia, I won't be your lover."

There was a pause.

Then, she smiled. "You want me to get a divorce? Not happening."

Hearing that, I turned and walked away.