Ashton came home at quarter to eight. He dropped his keys on the counter. Hard.
I was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea that had gone cold.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hey.”
He opened the fridge. He stood there with the door open.
“There’s leftover lasagna,” I said.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Ashton, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Sutton. I’m just tired.”
“You’ve been tired every single night for months.”
He shut the refrigerator. Harder than he needed to. The bottles in the door rattled.
He sighed. That sigh.
“Can we please not have another argument?”
“I’m not trying to argue,” I said. “I’m worried about you.”
“Well, somehow every conversation turns into one.”
His words stung like a slap.
I sat there holding my cold tea. And I finally asked the question I’d been avoiding for six months. The one I’d been too scared to say out loud.
“Ashton,” I said quietly. “Are you tired of being married to me?”
I waited.
He didn’t answer.
The refrigerator hummed. A car went by outside. Somewhere down the street, a dog barked.
He didn’t say a single word.
That silence was worse than anything he could have said. If he’d yelled yes, at least I’d know. If he’d said no, I could have tried to believe him.
But he said nothing.
I stood up. I picked up my cane, out of habit, out of the act. And I walked down the hallway into our bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed.
I told myself we just needed a little time apart. Both of us. To calm down.
I thought maybe he’d come in and apologize. He always used to.
Several minutes later, the bedroom door opened.
And that’s when I watched my husband hide a suitcase under our bed.
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.