He paused, looking at me in my simple dress, with my simple hair and my tired face. «And you? You’re still the same girl from eight years ago. You haven’t grown. You haven’t changed. You’re still working at Save Mart, still waiting tables, still living like we’re poor when we’re not anymore.»
«I’m working those jobs to help us save money, to contribute.»
«I don’t need your contribution.» He stood up, his voice rising again. «I don’t need your discount store clothes, or your homemade dinners, or your constant tired face reminding me of where I came from. Do you know what Veronica said to me last week? She said I seemed weighed down, like I was carrying something heavy. And she’s right. I am carrying something heavy. This marriage.»
«You, Veronica, always Veronica. Are you sleeping with her?» I asked, the question falling from my lips before I could stop it.
«Does it matter?» He shot back. «Would it change anything? Grace, look at yourself. Look at your hands, your clothes, your entire life. You’re stuck in the past while I’m moving toward the future. Veronica understands ambition. She understands success. She belongs in my world.»
He shook his head slowly. «And you? You don’t.»
I stood there frozen as he walked to the closet and pulled out a suitcase.
«What are you doing?» I asked, though I already knew.
«I’ve been thinking about this for months,» he said, starting to pack clothes. «We’re not compatible anymore. We want different things. We’re different people now.»
«Because I’m not rich. Because I’m not sophisticated enough for your new friends.»
He stopped packing and looked at me directly. «Because your simplicity disgusts me, Grace. The way you think, the way you dress, the way you live. It’s all so small and limited and beneath what I deserve now. You’re not worthy of the life I’ve built.»
Not worthy. After six years of sacrifice, after giving up everything, after loving him with every piece of my heart, I wasn’t worthy.
«I want a divorce,» he said, zipping up his suitcase. «My lawyer will contact you with the details. You can stay here for another month while you figure out where to go. After that, I’m selling the place.»
He walked toward the door, then paused. «For what it’s worth, Grace, I did appreciate what you did. Back then. But that was a long time ago, and gratitude doesn’t build a future. I’m sorry you can’t see that.»