Secrets Written in Light

Marvin looked straight ahead, acting as if I did not exist.

I had told him time and again that no matter what happened, he should not bring people home — especially not other women.

I called him out by name, Wendy's in particular.

He just thought I was making a fuss over nothing, giving me an impatient look. "Isn't it normal to have guests over? You really need to get over your jealousy."

He yanked our custom couple's frame from its spot by the door and chucked it into the trash without a second thought.

"Now that we're secretly married, are you acting out just so everyone knows we're hitched?"

...

I averted my gaze, refusing to look at the pair by the bedroom door.

I had lost count of how many times Wendy came into our home.

Wendy scurried over to me, her face a picture of feigned bewilderment as she clutched at my sleeve.

"Tracy, I'm always respectful to you, at work and in life. Why are you making my life difficult?"

She played the innocent card, but anyone with half a brain could see her true colors.

Yet Marvin was totally enthralled by her act.

A dark shadow crossed his eyes as he shot me an impatient look. "Even if she froze to death out here today, it shouldn't be our problem. Come inside and warm up or leave, stop souring the mood at the door!"

The door flew open and then slammed shut with a bang, the fleeting warmth feeling like a taunt.

With nowhere else to turn, I headed back to the office.

Shivering all the way, I was numb by the time I arrived.

The weather outside was getting worse, and as dusk fell, a freezing drizzle began to fall.

I used to worry about Marvin getting caught in a weather like that, afraid he would suffer even the slightest discomfort.

Seeing my ragged reflection in the office's glass, the irony could not be more bitter.

As I slowly got used to the warmth inside, I pulled out my phone with shaky hands, clinging to a sliver of hope.

The only thing Marvin ever left me was his ancient, untouched social feed, which, to my surprise, got an update today.

[Snowy day, sweetheart, and roast dinners — pure bliss.]

The photo showed Wendy sprawled in front of a panoramic window, lost in the snowy view, with a table laden with bubbly drinks and roasted meals behind her.

The company's rumor mill went into overdrive in the chat group, and after a few daring souls tagging the main characters, Marvin and Wendy's names were suddenly everywhere.

[At last, the open secret's out, and they can stop sneaking around like kids stealing candy from a candy shop!]

[Do you think their parents realize how tough it is for their kids to scrounge up those sweet moments day by day?]

[Enough said, let's toast to our old pal!]

Marvin was in that company-wide chat too, and he did not miss a beat — every message was read.

However, he never corrected their wild guesses or the face-to-face congratulations. He seemed to relish the spotlight.

His silence only cemented the rumors.

I had confronted him about it more than once, exploding after holding it in too long, and all he would do was furrow his brows.

"I'm already busting my back at work, and now you want me to play referee too? Plus, they're just having fun. If they're happy, they'll work harder. Or would you rather have a workplace as lively as a graveyard?"