The next day was a pre-dawn shift, so I went to the hospital early. After the morning meeting ended, I received a call from Adrian.
His voice was dripped with a subtle annoyance when he said, "Madeline, why didn't you wake me up? You left early without telling me and I overslept."
I used to take care of him in every possible way and even more so after we got married. Clothes laid out, breakfast prepared with love and a gentle morning call, a routine I meticulously followed.
His tone now suggested that he took those things for granted. It was as if my acts of love were mere obligations, a chore I was simply expected to perform.
However, I was never his caretaker, I was his wife. I had the right to refuse.
"Well, since you're going to be late, you'd better get up soon."
He asked again, "What am I going to wear today?"
"Just choose whatever you want to wear. It's all in the closet," I replied.
"But I can't find it...." Adrian tried to say.
My colleague called me over for some help, so I hurriedly said, "I have something else to attend to, I need to go. Just find your clothes yourself."