ManyWriters

A severe storm brought the city to a standstill, leaving me stranded in an elevator for the entire night. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't reach my spouse Jack Stirke on his mobile.
As my fear of enclosed spaces nearly overwhelmed me, my phone suddenly displayed a message from Jack: "Swamped at the moment, talk to you soon."
Trembling, I attempted to dial emergency services but accidentally glimpsed a social media update from Jack's subordinate, Lily Casley: "My supervisor arrives at my beck and call. How fortunate I am~" with Jack mentioned.
In the past, I would have been furious.
This time, however, I simply removed both of them from my contacts and social media, then called for assistance.
I arrived home looking disheveled and left the separation documents without uttering a word. Meanwhile, Jack was desperately searching for me everywhere.
He was begging on his knees, saying, "Jen, I'll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness!"
I merely chuckled and replied, "Then end your life."

Stranded in Betrayal, A Night of Truth and Storms

As I read his message, I crumbled, feeling completely drained.


Confined in that cramped, shadowy enclosure, I could scarcely wiggle my digits, much less summon the will to seek assistance.


Jack was my final glimmer of hope, yet he met my frantic pleas with apathy.


I inhaled deeply, compelling myself to remain calm, and somehow managed to contact emergency services.


After placing the call, I slumped against the wall, my eyes fixed on his unaltered text.


It was a social media update from Lily.


Gathering my remaining strength, I checked it and noticed her self-portrait.


In the image's corner, I spotted Jack's timepiece—the one I'd presented to him on our anniversary.


Her caption read: "Always on call for my superior, fortunate to have you~," tagging Jack once more.


Jack had responded below, "Chicken," with a hint of fondness.


Perhaps it was my near-death experience, but a sudden serenity washed over me. Without fanfare, I blocked Lily's profile, which I had thoroughly examined.


The emergency team proved far more dependable than Jack.


They reached the malfunctioning elevator swiftly, freeing me after an extended period of entrapment and escorting me to my residence.


I cleansed myself of the filth and fatigue before quickly drifting into slumber.


Strangely, I felt a sense of relief without Jack's presence.


I was startled awake by a door slamming. There stood Jack, irate, demanding answers, "What's with the barrage of calls? Do you find it amusing to frighten me into thinking something's occurred?"


Bewildered, I gaped at him, unable to grasp his fury.


I hadn't even mentioned his overnight rendezvous with another woman, yet he was the one losing his composure.


"Can't you be more rational? Stop inundating my phone, okay?"


He unlocked his phone to show me but inadvertently revealed his conversation with Lily.


Despite my status as his spouse, her chat was prominently displayed at the top.


I feigned ignorance, merely grunted, and turned over to resume my rest.


Perhaps feeling guilty about prioritizing Lily's messages or remorseful for neglecting to collect me, he silently adjusted the blankets and exited the room.


I didn't inquire about his destination; I had long since lost interest.


Despite the turmoil, my alarm failed to rouse me.


However, anxiety about the mountain of work awaiting me at the office jolted me awake.


I rushed to work, barely managing to navigate the morning commute when Sarah, with concern, remarked, "Jen, you look feverish!"


The pressure from the previous day, coupled with my recent hospitalization, had culminated in a fever.


Surrounded by caring coworkers, I forced a smile and retreated to my desk to recuperate.


As I contemplated calling in sick, a message from Jack appeared.


Irritated, I realized I had never found Jack so vexing.


Was he expecting me to trail him and observe his flirtations with his assistant?


Before I could formulate a response, he messaged again.


"Why didn't you wake me? I nearly slept through my alarm!"


Staring at the screen, I recalled all the times I had attempted to rouse him, only to be dismissed. Yet, he'd readily respond to Lily's calls.


Confronting him invariably led to his impatient retort, "She's just my assistant, it's normal for her to call and wake me. Stop being so suspicious!"


Now, as he experienced Lily's attentiveness, he was perplexed by my absence.


I set my phone aside and immersed myself in work.


I'd come to understand that self-reliance was preferable to dependence on any man.


Chapter 3