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“Not much…let’s see. One from Ann to Andrew’s father. God, she’s an idiot,” Cynthia muttered. “Oh here’s one.”She turned the computer to me.
To: Markman, Don
From: Markman, Andrew
Re: M&A work
Let’s chat. I have something that might work for both of us.
To: Markman, Andrew
From: Markman, Don
Re: M&A work
Will call you tonight.
I checked the timestamp. Last night. He was so sure he would be elevated to partner that he was already plotting to bring his father on as a client. I squeezed my eyes shut. Maybe this wasn’t what it looked like.You know this is exactly what it looks like. Tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes and I heard Cynthia get up, before her arms were around me.
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“I loved him.” My voice came out broken.
“I know you did. I know.”
My words were in the past tense, but deep down, I knew I still loved him, might always love him, and I might never ever recover.
* * *
As I approached our office,I could see Andrew’s dark head bent over the computer. My stomach bottomed out.You can do this.I took a deep breath and pushed opened the door.
His head snapped up and hard green eyes met my own.
“Why are you here?” His voice was cold.
“I work here,” I said shortly, hoping a minimum of words would mean little opportunity for him to see how much I hurt. I dropped into my chair and ignored him, though I could feel his eyes on me.
Finally, I heard him sigh and turn back to his computer.
We spent the afternoon in heavy silence. Andrew refused to look at me and I sat stiff as a board at my computer, unwilling to speak first, but unwilling to cede ground. Even an insult would have been welcome at this point. Anything to cut the tension.
He didn’t seem gleeful about his impending promotion, instead he just seemed flat. He was currently hissing into the phone at who I assumed was one of the juniors, based on his tone.
“Fucking figure it out,” he spat and slammed down the phone, before scrubbing hands over his face.
“That was rude.” The words popped out.
He turned to me and his face was set. “Don’t.”
“No one died and made you king.” Frustration made me bite out the words.
“I know.” The muscle in his jaw clenched.
“You’re getting everything you ever wanted, Andrew. What do you even have to be so pissed about?”
His eyes glittered and he sprang out of his chair to stalk toward me. “If you think I’m getting everything I ever wanted, then you don’t know me at all.” He stopped in front of me and shoved his hands into his suit pockets.
His frustration was palpable and I crossed my arms over my middle. “What is that supposed to mean? I’m the one getting screwed here. You’re getting it all.” My voice was bitter.
