That Woman, Emma.

Emma

Have you ever experienced that profound sense of depletion, where even the simplest tasks feel like monumental feats? It's as if every movement, every blink requires an immense amount of effort. I found myself in one of those moments recently.

It all began after a particularly jarring encounter with Ivy Hughes, an incident that left me feeling utterly drained. Her words cut deep as she publicly humiliated me, branding me with hurtful labels in front of our entire office. The weight of that moment lingered long after the day had ended.

Returning home that night, I anticipated a flood of tears, but instead, I found myself immobilized by mental exhaustion. I lay in bed, devoid of energy or will to move, simply existing in a state of numbness. Tears didn't come; they felt like a luxury I couldn't afford. Sleep eluded me, leaving me to stare blankly at the ceiling, grasping for something—anything—to ease the heaviness weighing on my mind. What that "something" was, I couldn't articulate; I was merely lost in the inertia of my own emotions.

I can't quite pinpoint what triggered those feelings again. Perhaps it's the weight of knowing I shattered a once-perfect marriage, or maybe it's the unsettling reminder from the news. The mere mention of Hughes and Silvester sends shivers down my spine, transporting me back to a time I'd rather forget. It's as if their names carry echoes of laughter and scorn, piercing through the present.

Reflecting on that dark period, I'm left questioning what drove me to such desperation. Perhaps it stemmed from a lifetime of feeling unloved, of never experiencing genuine affection. In my desolation, manipulating someone seemed like a viable option. Looking back, I realize the gravity of my actions, and the lives and relationships I irreparably damaged. I should have faced more severe consequences for my recklessness. I should have understood the sanctity of relationships, considering how desperately I yearned for them all my life.

My phone buzzed insistently beside me, but I lacked the energy to even glance at the caller ID. It was likely Marcia's, wondering why I hadn't shown up at work. The thought of facing another day of labor drained me further. The ringing, sharp and persistent, almost seemed to lull me into a drowsy stupor. Though I had just woken up, weariness enveloped me once more. Just a few moments of rest, I promised myself, drifting back into the embrace of sleep. I deserved this respite.

When I finally stirred from my slumber, the room was dim with approaching dusk. Swearing softly, I reached for my phone, greeted by a barrage of missed calls and texts from Dalton. His concern was palpable, questioning my absence from work. Fueled by a mix of guilt and necessity, I concocted a lie about a severe bout of food poisoning. His simple "Get well soon" response tugged at my conscience, yet I couldn't afford to jeopardize my job. It was a lie borne out of desperation, and it weighed heavily on my conscience.

Amidst the flurry of notifications, I noticed a missed call and a solitary text message from Justin, opting to postpone reading it for later. The hour had already slipped past the time for my shift at the restaurant. Contemplating whether to feign illness for my upcoming shifts, the thought of laboring through another day's work felt burdensome. A heavy sigh escaped me as I glanced at Toby, perched at the foot of my bed. Guilt washed over me as I realized I'd neglected to feed him his lunch.

Apologizing profusely to Toby, I questioned why he hadn't nudged me awake as he typically did when hungry. His silent response was as expected. After attending to his needs, I attempted to offer him affection, only to be met with his customary indifference. With Toby sorted, I resolved to call Justin and notify him of my absence. Before doing so, I checked the message he'd sent.

Justin's message was succinct: The restaurant will be closed today.

It was a simple statement, yet it left me pondering its implications. I bit my lower lip, curiosity gnawing at me, prompting me to seek clarification.