Then I picked up my phone and called the company lawyer.
"Attorney Barnes, I need you to compile a full record of all my personal assets. And while you're at it, draft me a divorce agreement."
After I finished laying everything out, Sylvester Barnes was livid.
"People this shameless actually exist? Don't worry. I'll pull detailed spending records and evidence of the affair. She'll leave this marriage with nothing."
I replied with a single word: "Good."
Leaving with nothing was too easy on her. At the very least, her little love story deserved to see the light of day.
Another first of the month rolled around.
Sonia had gotten up early and changed into a new spring outfit, complete with a full face of flawless makeup.
The moment she picked up her purse and headed for the door, I opened my eyes, sleepless all night, and called out to her, my voice weak.
"Sonia, I drank too much last night and my stomach's been killing me. Can you come with me to the hospital?"
Sonia stopped in her tracks and frowned at me.
"Why is your stomach suddenly hurting?"
"Yesterday. The boss brought in a new client, and I was entertaining them. Got carried away and drank too much before I realized it."
Sonia stood where she was, not moving. Conflict flickered in her eyes, and her voice carried a note of reproach.
"You know you can't handle alcohol, and you still drank?"
"Don't we have stomach medicine at home? Just take some and drink some hot water. Rest a bit and you should be fine."
I pressed a hand to my chest, my brow creased in pain.
"I already took some in the middle of the night. I coughed up some blood, too. I really think I should go to the hospital. It might be a stomach bleed."
As I spoke, I covered my mouth and coughed twice, then leaned over the trash can and retched. Dark red liquid hit the paper lining with a sickening splash.
Sonia's face blanched. She was just about to reach out and steady me when her phone rang.
She glanced down at it quickly and swiped to decline.
It rang again.
Sonia stared at the name on the screen, panic flickering across her face. As if terrified I might see it, she straightened up and stepped back.
"Noel, I already made plans with my best friend. I can't just bail on her, can I? She's in a bad mood today. It'd be even worse if I canceled."
"You should just take a cab to the hospital and get a scan. It's an old problem anyway. It's probably nothing serious."