The clatter of dishes echoed in the kitchen, waking me up. I rubbed my throbbing head and went to investigate, only to find Theodore in the kitchen. He had not been home in a long time because he had a new home with Janice, leaving me alone in this house.
Theodore stood at the stove, wearing an apron, skillfully chopping vegetables as if nothing had changed. Noticing my gaze, he smiled and came over to ruffle my hair, saying, “Go wash up. Dinner’s almost ready.”
I saw the love in his eyes and slapped his hand away, letting out a derisive laugh. “Theodore, stop acting.”
It was sickening to watch someone so familiar yet so distant pretend to be in love. He looked at his reddened hand, and his smile slowly faded.
As I passed the refrigerator, I caught my reflection and stared at the bandage on my forehead in confusion. Looking back at the dining table, I saw the cake covered in candles.
Although it was slightly damaged, I recognized it immediately. It was the one I had taken to his office that day. It was then that I realized it had not been a dream.
When I wished him a happy birthday, he brought back the restored cake. When I suggested blowing out candles together, he had prepared this candlelit dinner.
I wondered what game he was playing at. Was it another scene of lovers quarreling and making up?
I was tired of acting and playing along with Theodore’s charades. With that, I swept everything off the table in one motion.
The cake’s frosting smeared across the floor as the candlelight flickered out. Theodore’s eyes blazed red as he gripped my wrist tightly. He growled, “Charlotte, are you sick in the head?”
I smiled, my eyes crinkling. “Yes, I am sick.”
Theodore laughed as if he had heard a joke. He breathed heavily through clenched teeth. However, I wasn’t lying to him.
“Do you think it’s fun to mess with me?” he asked, his voice laced with anger.
I smirked. “Yes. I love watching you degrade yourself like this. You’re pathetic!”
My words struck Theodore like a knife to the heart. He lifted me up and turned, ignoring my kicks and screams. A moment later, he threw me onto the dining table with a loud bang.
The cold glass surface made me shiver. He seemed determined to prove something as he bit at my chest, making me cry out in pain.
I hissed, “Theodore, are you freaking out of your mind?”
His rough hand explored under my nightgown as he gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. I laughed at his state.
As I looked into his eyes, I laughed bitterly. I growled, “No. You’re not crazy. You’re filthy.”
That word shattered what little restraint he had left. He grabbed my throat, his eyes bloodshot as he repeatedly asked, “Why? Why are you treating me like this?
“I waited for you for many years, but you never even spared me a glance. Do you know how happy I was when you said you wanted to celebrate my birthday together?”
He was like a wounded child with tears streaming down his face. I bit my tongue until I tasted blood, barely holding back my own tears. We silently stared at each other in the darkness.
He buried his face into the crook of my neck, desperately inhaling my scent. After a long while, he said hoarsely, “Charlotte, we—”
Just then, his phone rang, cutting through the silence. It was Janice.
He immediately answered the call. The woman’s sobs were clearly audible in the quiet night.
“Theo, I’m scared of being alone at home. Can you come back to me? I’m hiding in my room and afraid to go out. I miss you… Theo, do you not love me anymore?”
He comforted her gently while getting up and straightening his clothes. As he headed for the door, he paused and looked back at me.
