The Ninth Time I Took Off My Wedding Ring Chapter 03
After Flora and I left the boutique, we walked straight into the coffee shop on the corner.
Through the window, I watched Brianna tugging at Clifford’s sleeve, her coquettish tone shifting into complaints: “Honey, about that nightgown… Clifford? What are you looking at?”
Clifford glanced in my direction, somewhat dazed, before pulling his gaze back. “Nothing.”
I saw him pay absentmindedly while Brianna dragged him away.
I took a sip of my coffee.
“Aren’t you going to fight for those clothes?” Flora joked.
I shook my head. “They were never mine to begin with.”
I thought that was the end of it.
Three days after leaving the boutique, Clifford’s call came through unexpectedly that evening.
I stared at his name on the screen, puzzled. In five years, he’d
never bothered with my spending. That card’s bills were automatically deducted–he never even looked at them.
I answered.
“You canceled the card?” His voice was tight with suppressed
anger. “The finance department asked if I wanted to issue a new one. That’s how I found out.”
“Yes.” I was towel–drying my hair while looking in the mirror. ”
The separation agreement’s in effect. Using your card wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“The separation is the separation, money is money! Do you have to be so calculating about everything?” He paused. “Or is this another one of your games to make me end the separation early?
I laughed inwardly. In his eyes, even my independence could only be a manipulation.
“You’re overthinking it.” I tossed the towel aside. “If I’m going to be mature about this, I’ll be completely mature about it.
He clearly hadn’t expected that response. After a few seconds, his tone softened, taking on that familiar condescending
tolerance:
“Claire, I know you’re upset. But you don’t need to prove anything like this. You’ve used that card for five years- suddenly stopping now, what will people think? They’ll assume I‘ m mistreating you, or that we’re having problems.”
“Here’s what we’ll do–tomorrow I’ll have my secretary set up a new card for you, double the limit. Buy whatever you want, go to Paris, Milan–just lay low this month.”
almost laughed out loud. After five years, he still didn’t get it.
“No need. I have enough of my own money.”
Clifford went silent. “Your own money? Where the hell would you get your own money? Claire, are you involved with someone?”
Those words came out sharp and accusatory, exposing his suspicion.
“If you called just to interrogate me, I’m hanging up.”