“So what if I asked you to print some materials? Was that enough to justify you posting that on social media and embarrassing us?”
“What will Jason think when he sees that? Why do you have to make a scene and ruin the mood?”
I stayed silent, listening to her quickening breath on the other end.
A few seconds later, her tone softened, almost coaxing.
“Okay, okay, it’s not a big deal. Look, once I’m done, I’ll go to a movie with you — just the two of us, alright? Don’t be mad...”
“Got it.”
I spat out the words coldly and hung up first.
Talking to her any longer made me sick.
The day before the promotion review, everyone in the office was tense — except me.
“Hey, man.”
A falsely familiar voice called out.
Jason’s face carried an exaggerated look of concern, though his eyes glimmered with barely hidden glee.
“Ethan, are you ready for tomorrow? Your new proposal... do you want me and Claire to take a look?”
“Even though we’re busy, we can make time to help.”
Claire chimed in:
“Yeah, Ethan, how can you be so calm at a time like this? Where’s your proposal? Did you make the slides? Open them — we’ll help you polish them.”
I leaned back in my chair slightly.
“Proposal? I don’t have one.”
Jason’s fake sympathy turned to theatrical shock.
“What? How is that possible? You didn’t prepare anything? Then tomorrow—”
Claire’s face changed instantly.
“Ethan! What are you talking about? No proposal? What have you been doing these last two days?”
“I told you to hurry and work on a new project! Were you just ignoring me?”
Her voice grew louder and louder, drawing curious glances from nearby colleagues.
I spun my chair lazily.
“And how exactly is it any of your business whether I have a proposal or not?”
Claire flushed with anger.
“How is it my business? Weren’t we supposed to get promoted and buy a house together? Did you forget everything we planned? If you walk into that review tomorrow with nothing, what are you going to do?”
“If you can’t get promoted, if your salary stays the same, are you just planning to live off me? Eat my food, spend my money, let me carry all the pressure alone?”
“Ethan, how can you be so selfish — not even thinking about our future?”
I looked at her angry face — and suddenly, I laughed.
Who was it that first forgot all the promises we made together?
And who was it that gave up our future for someone else’s career?
Me, relying on her to support me?