Bobby looked shocked, as if my words had slapped him across the face. But he quickly put on a pleading expression. "You're jealous, I know it," he said, trying to soften my heart. "I'll tell Grace to move out of our house immediately. Come home with me. I'm sorry for being insensitive to your feelings lately. But believe me, I love you. I don’t want anyone else but you."
I wanted to laugh at his words, but all that came out was a tired sigh. Believe him? No. I was just too exhausted to argue. That’s why I went along with his demands.
---
In the days that followed, I lived as though everything was fine. Bobby seemed relieved, convinced that I had returned to being his obedient wife. He had no idea that I was secretly packing my belongings little by little. I only took the essentials, ensuring that when I left, I wouldn’t leave much behind.
At the restaurant where I worked, my friends were the only ones who knew about my plan. They cried as we prepared for our impending farewell.
That night, we went to a bar to celebrate a small goodbye. We shared sweet memories with one another.
"Don’t forget about us when you succeed, Irish!" Maria exclaimed, hugging me tightly.