The Good Wife (COMPLETE)

Nine

I saw Brendan a week after our last encounter. It was awkward, but I could tell that with time, things would go back to the way they had been. Or at least that's what I hoped for. We joked a little before he left and I felt somewhat better.

It had been two weeks since I last saw Mark and we had actually had a conversation. I tried to surprise him for lunch one day, but his assistant told me he was out with a client. He hadn't been coming home for dinner and was gone long before breakfast. Even on weekends, he was getting up early and hiding away in his office. He only came out to use the bathroom or grab something to eat, but he always ended up back in there.

I had never felt more alone. It seemed like work was more important to Mark than I was and I hated feeling like this. One of the reasons I had fallen in love with him was because he was so passionate and dedicated to his job. He loved it and was so determined to be successful. I didn't want to take away from any of it, but I wanted just a little bit from him. A lunch date. A conversation. Anything. Hell, even if he would just let me sit in the same room as him, I'd be happy.

I cleaned the whole house, top to bottom. The busier I was, the less time I had to sit and be sad. I vacuumed the carpets. I scrubbed the floors. I did the kitchen and the bathrooms. Everything looked spotless, practically glimmering in the light.

I headed into the living room and began there next. I grabbed my dusting supplies and made my way around the room, moving things here and there. I got to the end table and accidentally bumped a long forgotten book off the bottom shelf. Bending over to pick it up, I caught a glimpse of what was inside. Hundreds of pictures of Mark and I were in the photo album. Pictures of us together. Pictures of us looking happy. Tears formed in my eyes and I wiped them away. I sat down and flipped through them all, looking at our smiling faces, reminiscing in the memories. This is what I wanted. I wanted this back. And I had to at least try.

I woke up early the next morning, wanting to go to the gym and then the grocery store. I was going to spend all day prepping a nice dinner for Mark and I tonight. I looked at his calendar and saw that for once, he didn't have any late night meetings or dinner discussions with clients. I sent him a text and called his assistant to make sure he came home on time.

I got everything ready for dinner and then I got myself ready. I put on a dress, makeup too. A last ditch effort to remind him of what was slipping through his fingers. A last ditch effort to save my marriage.

I paced for a little. I plate our food and set the table. I straightened things up, wanting it to all look perfect. I fixed my hair one last time and took my usual seat. I yanked the hem of my dress down and folded my hands in my lap, waiting. 

Like clockwork, at 5:15 the front door opened and Mark's voice filled the hallway. 'That fucking Blackberry.'I thought to myself bitterly. I tried my best to smile at Mark when he walked in. He simply pointed to his phone and grabbed his plate, heading into his office. I sighed, tears pooling in my eyes. It was over. I had lost.

I sat there, numb, letting it all sink in. I couldn't hear him talking anymore, so he must be on his computer. I knocked on his office door lightly, letting myself in. Mark glanced up from his papers and upon seeing it was just me, went right back to them.

"Mark." He didn't look up. "Mark." Still nothing. "Mark, I'm leaving you." That got his attention. "I don't want your money. I just want you to let me go," I said softly.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He leaned forward on his desk and scrubbed his face with his hands. When he finally looked up at me, his eyes were sad and solemn. I never expected what he said next. "I'm sorry, Abby. I never meant for you to find out."