“Why are you still here?”
The question made Ella look up. Charles was already standing in the doorway of the apartment.
His uniform jacket was still clinging to his body. His hair was slightly disheveled, and he looked exhausted. But it wasn't his tired expression that left Ella speechless.
It was Charles's reaction—no smile, no hug, not even a “Happy wedding anniversary.” There wasn't even the warm look Charles usually gave her when he came home.
Ella rose from the sofa. “You're finally home.”
Charles set his car keys on the table. “Yeah.”
That was all. Ella swallowed. Behind her, Leah stood holding a plate she hadn't had a chance to put away.
“Charles,” Leah greeted him.
Charles merely nodded. Leah glanced at Ella. She knew what that look meant—the look of a best friend trying to say, I'll leave if you want me to.
Ella gave a small shake of her head. But Leah understood what Ella wanted at that moment, so she said goodbye after placing the plate in the sink.
Charles nodded again. Leah walked over to Ella and squeezed her hand briefly. “Call me.”
Ella nodded, and a few seconds later, the door closed. The apartment suddenly felt much bigger and much colder.
Ella looked at Charles. “I want to talk.”
Charles began unbuttoning his jacket. “Now?”
“Yes.”
“I'm tired.”
“So am I.”
Charles's hands stopped. Ella drew a breath. “I waited for you for almost three hours.”
“I told you, Madison needed me.”
“Because her cat went missing.”
Charles looked at her. “Snowy isn't just a cat.”
“I know.”
“If you know that, why are you making an issue of it?”
Ella fell silent. The words felt like a slap. “I'm not making an issue of Snowy.”
“Then what?”
“I'm upset about the way you treat me.”
Charles let out a long sigh. “Ella, don't start.”
“I'm not starting anything.”
“You're always like this.”
Ella furrowed her brow. “Like what?”
“Making problems bigger than they are.”
Charles walked through the living room. His gaze fell on the dining table: the untouched cake, the plates and two unused glasses, and one candle that had gone out.
“This is all because I was late?”
Ella stared at him in disbelief. “This is all because today is our wedding anniversary.”
Charles took off his watch. “I know.”
“Do you?”
Charles didn't answer. Ella approached her husband. “If you know, why couldn't you come home for a little while?”
“I was helping someone.”
“And who am I?”
Charles looked at her. “You're my wife.”
“Then why does it always feel like I'm your last choice?”
Charles's jaw tightened. “Because you demand too much.”
Ella fell silent. “I demand too much?”
“Yes.”
“What do I demand?”
“Time. Attention. Explanations. Every time I leave, you want to know where I'm going. Who I'm with. When I'll be home.”
Ella let out a small laugh. But there was no joy in it. “That's called communication in a marriage, Charles.”
“Not when you take it too far.”
“I called you three times tonight.”
“Three times?”
“Because you didn't answer.”
Charles shook his head and smiled sarcastically. “See?”
“What?”
“You even counted them.”
Ella looked at him in exasperation. “Because I was waiting for you.”
Charles rubbed his face. “You're too possessive.”
It was a simple sentence. Yet something inside Ella seemed to crack. “Possessive?”
“Yes.”
“Because I wanted my husband to come home on our wedding anniversary?”
“It's not just tonight.”
Charles walked toward the kitchen. “You've always wanted to control me.”
Ella followed him. “I never stopped you from working.”
“But you always have a problem with me helping Madison.”
That name came up again. Madison. Ella bit the inside of her cheek to hold back her anger. “Charles.”
“What?”
“Do you still love her?”
Charles froze, the question hanging between them. Ella waited in front of him. One second, two, then three. Charles finally turned around.
“What kind of question is that?”
“A question from a wife who feels her husband cares more about another woman.”
“I've answered that question countless times.”
“Answer it again.”
Charles stared at her sharply. “No.”
Ella nodded slowly. “Fine.”
But Charles didn't know that the most painful answer wasn't yes, but a rejection that sounded like an obligation.
Ella pointed to the dining table. “I cooked your favorite food.”
Charles glanced at it. “I appreciate it.”
“It's not what it looks like.”
“I told you I'm tired.”
“So am I, Charles.”
“Tired of waiting?”