Janitor's Revenge

Chapter 2: A Broken Marriage

Shane was sleeping alone in their modest apartment, the rumpled blankets glowing in the morning sunlight that filtered through the thin drapes. He gazed at the ceiling, attempting to dispel the worry that had crept into his chest since Evelyn had left the house the previous evening. She hadn't spoken to him at all since returning home before dawn. She climbed the bed turned facing the other side as if he didn't exist.

Shane sighed and combed his hair with his hands, his thoughts racing. He knew something was off. Every time he glanced at her, every time they shared a room, he felt it. It felt as though the lady with whom he had previously shared everything was suddenly a stranger, cold and distant.

Shane forced himself out of bed and headed for the tiny kitchen, thinking that maybe today would be different. Maybe they could talk and work things out. Though within him he knew it was hopeless, he still thought there was a chance to turn things around.

He went into the kitchen and saw Evelyn drinking coffee at the sink. As always, she looked beautiful, with every hair in place and a flawlessly controlled appearance. But still something about her made him worry. She wasn't real anymore.

Shane said, "Morning," trying to start a conversation.

Evelyn remained silent. While sipping her coffee, she kept her eyes fixed on something beyond the window. She paused for a long moment before turning to face him, her look blank.

"Morning," she said, but her tone sounded uninterested.

Shane moved in closer to bridge the gap between them. "I wasn't sure when you returned last night. Everything alright?

With a shrug, Evelyn placed her mug on the counter. "All I needed was some fresh air. The day was quite exhausting."

Shane kept his eyes fixed her face hoping to see some bit of emotion, but he saw nothing. Simply nothing. He tightened his jaw, attempting to control his annoyance. He couldn't ignore the increasing tension between them any longer, even if he didn't want to push her.

With a worried tone, Shane murmured, "Evelyn, we need to talk."

With a short exhale, Evelyn folded her arms over her chest and gently rolled her eyes. "Shane, what is there to talk about? Nothing's changed."

When she said it, Shane's heart sank. She had been emotionally distant from him for weeks now, acting as though she was waiting for him to quit. But he was not ready to. Not quite yet.

"Nothing's changed Evelyn? we barely talk!. You're never at home and even if you are, it doesn't make a difference." Shane stated, his voice rising a little from the irritation he'd been suppressing.

Evelyn gave him a cold look as she stared at him. "I have been busy."

"Busy with what?" With a more desperate tone than he meant, Shane asked. "You don't talk to me anymore."

Something flashed in Evelyn's eyes, maybe anger or annoyance. "Shane, I don't have to tell you everything I do. I have my life.

Shocked by how harsh her tone was, Shane looked on. Her words hit deeper than he anticipated, and for a split second, he was unable to speak. Though he had always known Evelyn was from a wealthy and privileged environment, he had never imagined it would eventually bring an issue between them.

With a strained voice, Shane added softly, "I'm not asking for a report, Evelyn." "I simply want to know what's happening to us."

With a bitter laugh, Evelyn turned her back on him and shook her head. "Shane, there's nothing to understand. We simply are just different people."

The words felt like a kick to the stomach. With every second that went by, Shane felt his heart break a little more. different people? Together, they had lived a life. They had promised to stick together through anything. How could she act with such nonchalance?

Shane straightened up his face, trying to control his feelings. "Is that really how you feel?"

Evelyn shrugged once more, keeping her back to him. "Shane, what are you wanting me to say? Things change. people change.

With his fists tightened up and his nails digging into his palms, Shane found it difficult to process what she had said. He knew all along that their marriage wasn't the best, but he didn't think she would give up so soon.

"So that's it?" With a trembling voice from the weight of his emotions, Shane asked. "Are you simply going to leave?"

Slowly turning around, Evelyn met his eyes for the first time in what seemed like weeks. Her look was one without remorse or affection. Just disregard.

"It's for the best," she responded bluntly.

Shane broke into a whisper, "Evelyn, please. This is something we can fix. We can..."

Evelyn interrupted him, her voice stern, "No, Shane. We can't"

Her words hung like a heavy, black fog, and there was a long, heavy quiet between them. The pain in his chest was nearly deep, and Shane could hardly breath.

Evelyn finally let out a sigh and moved to the kitchen table. She took up a pile of documents and arranged them before him.

Shane looked at the papers, shocked to see that they were divorce papers. When he picked them up, his hands trembled and his stomach churned as he looked at the words, which seemed to merge together in his vision.

"You want a divorce?" Shane asked.

Evelyn remained silent. She just stood there, with her arms folded.

Finally, in a calm tone she added, "I think it's the only way."

An overwhelming wave of rage and hopelessness overcame Shane. He had put in effort to keep their marriage and to his word to his grandfather. But now that he was staring down at the divorce papers, perhaps he was the only still hoping.

Shane responded, his voice trembling with pain, "I can't do this. I can't sign these and act as though nothing we've been through matters."

Something sparked in Evelyn's eyes. "Shane, it's not about acting. It has to do with embracing reality."

As he stared up at her, Shane felt a lump grow in his throat and his heart throb with an unfathomable sorrow. He felt like screaming, pleading with her to remain, telling her that they could solve this together. But he knew in his heart that it wouldn't matter. Evelyn had made up her mind already.

Evelyn added, almost in a soothing tone, "Just think about it. You must not sign them immediately. But as you know, this is isn't working.

Shane remained silent. He was unable to. His heart was heaving at the weight of all he was going to lose, and his mind was racing with feelings.

Evelyn turned and left the room without saying anything further, leaving Shane by himself in the room holding the divorce papers. The sound of the door clicking behind her echoed throughout the deserted flat.

Shane gazed at the documents, trying to make sense of it all. But even as his failing marriage weighed heavily on him, one question continued to ponder. Would he give up everything he had battled for and sign the papers?

Would he hang on, even if it meant loosing himself in the process?

The weighty documents he was holding represented all that had gone wrong. Shane felt his heart rate increase and his mind race with the enormity of the choice that lay front of him.