Quiet Confessions

June 10th

"I can't fucking believe you! You're mad at me because I have needs? I can't help that I can't bear to look at you anymore!" Evan's shouts thunder against the wall Ember is up against, and every syllable is another dagger in her tired body.

Through sobs she manages to fight back for the first time in days.

"You CHEATED on me! And not just once! I can't help that your guilt is affecting how you look at me. I'm sorry that I have a job that requires o we time sometimes, but at least the bills are paid! Did you know my coworker had to let me know she found your dating profile! Do you know how embarrassing that is?"

"You wanna talk about embarrassment," he says in slurred words. "It's embarrassing to have a partner that's more invested in their job than anything. I bet you're sleeping with half your coworkers. It wouldn't surprise me."

"How is it embarrassing to have a partner that wants to make sure everything is taken care of? You're the one skipping work to get drunk! THAT's embarrassing." Ember twists her engagement ring nervously.

"So I'm just a joke, then?"

"I'm not laughing. I'm concerned. If you're that worried about me cheating while I'm working, and you've seen what I've been working on this whole time, then there's a deeper issue here."

"I'm not the one getting fucked by that- that stupid cunt of a coworker of yours!"

"For the last time, you can read the messages yourself. That's my boss asking when the pages will be done. I've only been giving updates about my work! Nothing more."

Ember is crying so hard, she could barely see. Her chest hurt from her sobs and the amount of cortisol pumping through her heart. She'd wished that he'd give her just one day without this. Just one day.

"You're a little whore, you know? I've seen you putting on more makeup that usual lately, I see you putting in more effort lately. Who's it for? Certainly isn't me, you're never here anymore."

He was at least five feet away, but she could smell the whiskey on his breath, spiced and bitter.

"I'm wearing more makeup to cover up the bags under my eyes. And sometimes, I like to feel pretty. I want to dress better, I want to look better. It has nothing to do with anyone other than myself." Ember rubs her face, resisting the urge to claw at her skin.

"Knowing how you are, though, you'll fuck anyone. I've seen your exes. You'll give it up to anyone. Must be someone really special for you to get all dressed up."

"You're not listening to me about this, so what the fuck's the point?"

"Maybe you should shut the fuck up and listen then, huh? Never once have you asked how you working more is affecting me."

" I did! It was about a year ago when I started getting assigned more projects and you said to do whatever I needed to do and that you'd support me. I get that you feel neglected, but someone needs to have their shit together to pay rent."

"You have no idea how I feel right now! And you wanna sit and judge me. I'm lonely. I thought I was getting a partner when we got together. But no, you toss me aside when you're bored for some ugly nerd at your job!"

"I'm not judging, I'm trying to give you alternate solutions to drinking yourself to death!"

"What do you care, I'm only another number for you. I used to think I was special, but you just forgot about me like it was nothing for you. You lied when you said I was the most important person in your life. "