failwives

don't make interesting side characters kids, you'll get so attached to them that you'll write about them more than you write about your main characters. ahem. not that i would know anything about that.

there's really not much more to say about this one, but content warning for toxic marriages with children. enjoy!

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“You don’t love me anymore, do you?”

Theta’s words stuck to the wallpaper of the master bedroom like blood spatter at a crime scene. Eilin hadn’t even turned to face the wall yet, and her wife was still changing into her nightclothes near the foot of the bed. She didn’t even face Eilin when she spoke, instead staring up at the unforgiving white paint of the ceiling.

“That’s not fair.”

“How so?” came Theta’s quick response. She was always so quick with her responses, no matter the subject matter. Eilin supposed most of the well-liked politicians had to be.

Though it felt like admitting defeat, Eilin propped herself up on her elbows to look at the back of Theta’s head, where the gray hairs were just starting to sprout in a forest of pitch black.

“You never loved me. You are not allowed to judge me for finally moving on.”

“I’m not judging you, don’t put words in my mouth.”

Eilin was grateful that Theta still wasn’t looking at her, it meant she couldn’t see the hurt on her face.

Theta continued, “Does 'moving on' mean you’ve found someone else?”

Eilin’s cheeks grew warm. “No.”

Theta smirked at the answer. Eilin gripped the sheets tightly.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” Theta said, finally crawling into bed. Finally, she gave Eilin her undivided attention.

Eilin laid back down, and their faces were so close they could have kissed. “I don’t love you anymore.”

Theta had the audacity to look disappointed.

“What did you expect from me, Theta?” Eilin asked, half-genuine, half-furious, “That I’d wait for you forever?”

Theta said nothing, and that was all the answer Eilin needed. She wanted to scream or cry or hit something or at least sleep in one of the guest rooms. Instead, she grabbed Theta’s cheek gently with her hand, making her wife look her in the eyes.

“If we didn’t have the twins, I would walk out right now,” she said, tone like ice sitting on the top of an unfrozen lake, “But we do. And while I am with you, I will be with you, and no one else. But when August and Gwen are grown, and there is no more need for me here, I will leave you.”

Theta was nearly lost in the black abyss of Eilin’s eyes. She stayed quiet for a moment, letting the warmth of Eilin’s hand sink deep into her skin.

“Why don’t you take them and leave now?”

When Eilin would think back on this moment, which she did often, she would tell herself the answer was money. Her family had money as well, and they’d surely take her and her children in if she needed it, but they didn’t have this kind of money. They didn’t have the prestige that came with being a political dynasty. They didn’t have the luxury that came with the Yanz family name.

Eilin took a deep breath, and turned to face the pastel yellow wallpaper that surrounded their bedroom.

“Goodnight, Theta.”