“Finally, you’ve decided to be useful for yourself.” He didn’t even look at her. For a brief moment, something in Alice’s chest tightened. She frowned slightly, but then unexpectedly, she smiled, a quiet, knowing smile. “You don’t know what’s coming,” she thought. “All right,” she said calmly. “I just wanted to inform you.
” “Good for you,” Della replied casually, still glued to the screen. Alice stood there for a few seconds longer, then turned and walked away. Her steps lighter than they had been in months. The following Monday marked a new beginning. Alice woke up early, her movements purposeful, her energy different. She carefully got herself and baby Khiama ready.
After dressing her in a soft, colorful outfit, she carried her close, inhaling her familiar baby scent. At the daycare close to her new workplace, she hesitated briefly before handing Khiama over. “Take good care of her, please,” she said gently, her voice carrying both trust and worry. Then she left for work.
As she stepped into the office, her heartbeat fast, nervous, excited, uncertain. “Alice,” Bisi’s voice rang out warmly. Alice turned, and before she knew it, Bisi pulled her into a hug. “Welcome back,” she said brightly. “You look good. Honestly, motherhood fits you, but I’m glad to see you here again.” Alice laughed softly, a genuine sound that hadn’t escaped her lips in a long time. “Thank you, Bisi, for everything.
” Bisi winked. “You deserve this.” Alice sat at her new desk, looking around quietly. People moved about, keyboards clicked, phones rang, the normal rhythm of a working environment. Something about it felt familiar, something about it felt right. Yet beneath that quiet satisfaction, there was a lingering sadness.
Her thoughts drifted. How did Della become like this? She stared at her hands. Was he always like this and I just didn’t see it? Or did something change along the way? The questions lingered, unanswered. When it was time for her break, Alice didn’t waste a second. She walked quickly to the daycare. The moment Khiama saw her, her tiny face lit up, her little hands stretching forward.
Alice’s heart melted instantly. “My baby,” she whispered, carrying her gently. In that moment, everything else faded, the stress, the pain, the confusion. Nothing mattered more than the small, warm life in her arms. And as she held her close, Alice made a quiet promise to herself. No matter what happened next, she would rebuild her life, for her child and for herself.
Alice had begun to notice it, the distance. It wasn’t sudden. It crept in slowly, quietly, until one day she realized she was living in the same house with her husband, yet feeling completely alone. Della was always either on his phone or buried in video games. The man who once asked about her day, who once laughed with her over little things, had become someone who barely looked at her.
No more conversations, no more questions, no more interest. And whenever Alice tried to talk to him, to reach out, to simply connect, he would go silent, or turn it into an argument. So she stopped trying. But the loneliness didn’t stop, it grew. Alice walked into the eatery, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as she searched for her client.
The place was lively, low conversations, the gentle clatter of plates, and the warm aroma of food filling the air. As she stepped further inside, something caught her attention. She paused. Her eyes drifted toward the window, and there it was, Della’s car parked right outside. Her heart gave a small, uneasy tug.
She frowned slightly, wondering what he was doing there. Curiosity pushed her forward, and she stepped inside fully, her eyes scanning the room. And then she saw him, Della, sitting at a table with a lady. They were laughing openly, comfortably, like they had no worries in the world. The kind of laughter that felt easy, effortless.
Alice froze. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene. He looked different, relaxed, engaged, alive. The kind of man he once was with her, and he didn’t see her. Neither of them noticed her standing there. Alice quickly shifted her gaze, forcing herself to move. Her heart was racing, but she refused to let it show.
She walked calmly across the room and took a seat at another table, where her client was already seated. “Good afternoon,” she greeted, her voice steady despite the storm building inside her. But her ears weren’t fully with her client, they were listening to him. From across the room, Della’s voice carried laughter, light teasing, casual compliments.
“You know, I rarely meet someone with such great energy,” he said, his tone warm, almost playful. The lady laughed softly in response. Alice’s fingers tightened slightly against her bag. She kept her face composed, nodding at her client, responding when needed. But her mind was no longer in the meeting.
It was with Della, fedal listening, watching, feeling something she could no longer ignore. And for the first time, the silence between them felt louder than ever. She sat opposite her client, her posture calm, her voice steady, but inside, her world was shaking. She forced herself to focus on business, nodding, responding, smiling when necessary, like everything was fine.
“Your wife must be enjoying,” the lady said playfully, laughing along with him. “I’m telling you,” Della replied with a grin, leaning slightly forward. “You have no idea.” Alice stood there, unseen, her chest tightening painfully. She had never heard that tone from him in a long time. Never seen that warmth, never felt that version of him.
Della didn’t notice her at first. But as he and the lady stood up to leave, their eyes finally met. For a brief second, everything went still. Alice lifted her hand slightly, a small smile forming on her lips. “Della,” but he looked away. No response, no acknowledgement, as if she was a stranger, as if she didn’t exist. Alice didn’t wait.
She excused herself and rushed to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against the sink. And then the tears came, silent at first, then heavy, uncontrollable. Her mind replayed the scene over and over again. “You are so beautiful. I love your hair. Your red lipstick matches your dress.
” The laughter, the ease, the compliments, the version of Della she had once known, but no longer belonged to. Yet at home, he was cold, emotionless, detached. He thought providing money, food, groceries, baby items was enough. But Alice felt it deeply now. Money was not love. Provision was not connection, and she was starving emotionally.
That night, Alice couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Delal,” she began softly, standing in front of him as he sat on the couch. “Is there anything I’m doing wrong in this marriage?” Delal didn’t even look up. “Why are you being so cold to me? What is my fault? Talk to me.” He sighed heavily, clearly irritated.
“I see you hate peace and quiet,” he said flatly. “Please, can I not be disturbed?” Alice’s eyes widened slightly. Her voice trembled. “You are my husband. You are supposed to be my companion. You were laughing outside, complimenting another woman. When last did you compliment me? When last did you take me out on a date?” That got his attention.
