"I knew you wouldn't understand," Jossy whispered, her voice breaking as she pushed back her chair.
"Jossy, wait..I'm sorry I.." Hazel began, but Jossy was already on her feet.
"See you, Hazel," Jossy said, her voice final.
She walked out before Hazel could stop her.
***
That night, at the dinner table, Jossy kept stealing glances at Damien. How much could she really share with him about the job? She had already decided she would take it anyway, but he needed to hear it from her. That way, at least, she could keep peace at home.
Yet as she studied him across the table, another thought came to her, she hardly recognized the man sitting in front of her. He wasn't the Damien she married. That man had been charming and persuasive, unless she never knew him at all. This one, this one was cold, mean, and unpredictable. Maybe Hazel was right after all. Deep down, Jossy knew their marriage was beyond repair.
She tightened her grip on the fork, took a breath, and decided to hell with it. She will say it in one breath, rip the bandage off.
"Damien, Lennox have offered me a digital marketing position. I mean, you said I can work, and.."
She knew the words were a mistake the instant they left her lips. His face darkened in a flash.
"What? Say that again?" Damien's chair screeched back as he shot to his feet, his hand slamming firmly on the table.
Startled, Jossy pushed her chair back and also stood. "I..."
"So when you said you wanted a job, you meant at Lennox?" His voice was raw, harsh. "I should have known. That stupid Noah couldn't be up to any good. So what? He confessed his love for you, and you two have been secretly seeing each other?"