Husband In The Shadows - Chapter 7: Chapter 7
You are reading Husband In The Shadows, Chapter 7: Chapter 7. Read more chapters of Husband In The Shadows.
I'd gotten used to doing things on my own, so leaving the hospital by myself didn't bother me.
After I got discharged, I wanted to get the move over with, but my arm wasn't up to it. I had to hire movers.
They worked fast—most of the packing was done in half a day.
When Nydia came home and saw boxes all over the living room, she froze.
She looked at me, clearly anxious. "Emerson, what's going on?"
I kept my tone calm. "We're moving to The Waterway Residences. It's closer to your work—more convenient for you."
Nydia frowned and glanced around the room. She didn't buy it. "Why didn't we talk about this first? I don't want to—"
"The house is in your name," I cut in. "The location works better for you."
Nydia could tell something was off, but she didn't know what. Still, she trusted me. "Well, okay. You love reading, right? There's a library right next door. After we move, you can visit it whenever you want."
I paused, then shook my head. "I don't read much anymore."
Nydia looked toward the study. I was still buying new ones every now and then. She looked confused but didn't say anything.
Of course, I wasn't about to explain.
Trying to change the subject, she peeked into a box and noticed it was all her stuff. She was surprised. "Where's your stuff?"
"Already moved," I said.
She didn't think much of it, and she didn't ask any questions.
As the movers carried out the last of the boxes, Nydia—off work for the day—reminded them, "Keep our stuff separate when you unload. Don't mix anything up."
I watched her, holding back what I wanted to say.
There was nothing shared anymore.
There wouldn't be any of mine in her new place anyway.
The Waterway Residences was a property we'd bought together in a good school district. Nydia paid most of it. With the divorce coming, I thought splitting the houses was fair—one each.
I'd already listed the place we'd shared for four years online for sale.
Some memories just hurt too much to keep around.
At the new apartment, we ran into familiar faces even before getting to the elevator—Nydia's best friend and Jefferson.
Nydia clearly didn't expect to see them. I caught the panic in her eyes as she glanced at me.
I could tell—she wanted me gone.
I'd only met Jefferson once before, outside the bar, where he was acting close to Nydia, like he was trying to show off that she was his.
Nydia stood between us and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
Her best friend smiled. "We live nearby. I thought we'd swing by and see if you needed help. Jefferson and I are free labor today."
Jefferson kept eyeing me. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Nydia, who's this gentleman?"
Nydia didn't answer. She looked at me, clearly stuck.
She was at a loss for how to introduce me.
I smiled politely, stepped forward, and extended my hand. "Hi, I'm Emerson Curtis. One of her patients. Just helping out with the move."
Jefferson raised an eyebrow, spotting the bandage on my arm.
I didn't explain. I knew it wouldn't make a difference.
Jefferson seemed curious about me. Once Nydia went upstairs with a few boxes, he walked over to me. "So, you're her patient, huh? Small world. Same here."
He lowered his voice a little. "That night outside the bar, I thought you liked her."
After I got discharged, I wanted to get the move over with, but my arm wasn't up to it. I had to hire movers.
They worked fast—most of the packing was done in half a day.
When Nydia came home and saw boxes all over the living room, she froze.
She looked at me, clearly anxious. "Emerson, what's going on?"
I kept my tone calm. "We're moving to The Waterway Residences. It's closer to your work—more convenient for you."
Nydia frowned and glanced around the room. She didn't buy it. "Why didn't we talk about this first? I don't want to—"
"The house is in your name," I cut in. "The location works better for you."
Nydia could tell something was off, but she didn't know what. Still, she trusted me. "Well, okay. You love reading, right? There's a library right next door. After we move, you can visit it whenever you want."
I paused, then shook my head. "I don't read much anymore."
Nydia looked toward the study. I was still buying new ones every now and then. She looked confused but didn't say anything.
Of course, I wasn't about to explain.
Trying to change the subject, she peeked into a box and noticed it was all her stuff. She was surprised. "Where's your stuff?"
"Already moved," I said.
She didn't think much of it, and she didn't ask any questions.
As the movers carried out the last of the boxes, Nydia—off work for the day—reminded them, "Keep our stuff separate when you unload. Don't mix anything up."
I watched her, holding back what I wanted to say.
There was nothing shared anymore.
There wouldn't be any of mine in her new place anyway.
The Waterway Residences was a property we'd bought together in a good school district. Nydia paid most of it. With the divorce coming, I thought splitting the houses was fair—one each.
I'd already listed the place we'd shared for four years online for sale.
Some memories just hurt too much to keep around.
At the new apartment, we ran into familiar faces even before getting to the elevator—Nydia's best friend and Jefferson.
Nydia clearly didn't expect to see them. I caught the panic in her eyes as she glanced at me.
I could tell—she wanted me gone.
I'd only met Jefferson once before, outside the bar, where he was acting close to Nydia, like he was trying to show off that she was his.
Nydia stood between us and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
Her best friend smiled. "We live nearby. I thought we'd swing by and see if you needed help. Jefferson and I are free labor today."
Jefferson kept eyeing me. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Nydia, who's this gentleman?"
Nydia didn't answer. She looked at me, clearly stuck.
She was at a loss for how to introduce me.
I smiled politely, stepped forward, and extended my hand. "Hi, I'm Emerson Curtis. One of her patients. Just helping out with the move."
Jefferson raised an eyebrow, spotting the bandage on my arm.
I didn't explain. I knew it wouldn't make a difference.
Jefferson seemed curious about me. Once Nydia went upstairs with a few boxes, he walked over to me. "So, you're her patient, huh? Small world. Same here."
He lowered his voice a little. "That night outside the bar, I thought you liked her."
End of Husband In The Shadows Chapter 7. Continue reading Chapter 8 or return to Husband In The Shadows book page.