"You don't have to."
"Then take it back."
"The apartment is already rented."
Her head snapped up.
"You actually rented somewhere?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Today."
Her confidence cracked.
"Ethan."
"I told you I'm leaving."
"No."
"You are angry."
"We go home."
"We talk."
"We go to counseling."
"You don't just move out on our anniversary."
I almost smiled sadly.
"Apparently timing matters now."
"Don't."
"You're doing it again."
"What?"
"That sarcastic thing."
"You're right."
I stood.
Rachel stared.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Our home?"
"To get one more bag."
"Then the apartment."
She stood too.
"Ethan, sit down."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"Fine."
Anger returned.
"Then leave."
I nodded.
"Okay."
She blinked.
"What?"
"You told me to leave."
"I'm leaving."
Her expression changed.
"Wait."
There it was.
She reached for my wrist.
"You're actually leaving?"
"Yes."
"Ethan, stop."
I pulled my arm free gently.
"Don't do this here."
"I'm not making a scene."
"Then sit down."
"No."
People nearby were pretending not to listen.
I picked up the folder.
Then reconsidered and placed it back in front of her.
"Keep it."
"Read it tomorrow."
"Nothing has been filed."
"I haven't touched the accounts."
"I am not trying to ruin you."
"I just need to stop living like everything is fine."
I walked away.
Behind me, Rachel called my name once.
I did not stop.
I drove home.
Packed another bag.
Rachel called before I left the driveway.
I let it ring.
Then messages.
Where are you?
Please answer.
We need to talk.
Then:
I didn't mean what I said.
That message almost made me laugh.
Five days earlier, my disappearance sounded relaxing.
Apparently the practical demonstration was less appealing.
The furnished apartment felt exactly like a place designed for people whose real lives were temporarily unavailable.
Gray couch.
Gray rug.
Generic prints.
Coffee maker still wrapped in plastic.
I sat at the small kitchen table around midnight.
My phone showed seventeen messages.
I opened none.
Then one from Mark.
Alive?
I answered:
Yes.
How bad?
Bad.
Need company?
No.
He replied:
Call if that changes.