Chapter 4All Out of Love

"You two grew up together. Why would I be jealous?" I said.

Ally's hand tightened on my shoulder.

For the first time, in one of our clashes, she was the one left speechless.

Half-asleep, I felt her hand slide over my stomach. I jolted awake and grabbed it at once.

"I don't want to."

She wrapped her arms around me.

"But it's been so long since we..."

I tightened my grip on her hand.

"Are you really not even curious why I went to the hospital today?"

My expense report had clearly stated it was for surgery, but from start to finish, she hadn't asked me a single question about how I was doing.

She laughed.

"I know, it's probably nothing more than a headache or a little fever. Let your wife make it up to you now, hm?"

"I don't want to."

I wrapped the blanket tighter around myself.

"I told you, I'm tired."

In my relationship with Ally, I was always the one who tolerated everything from her. I was always the one begging her for things. Refusing her like this had never once happened before.

Behind me, her hand tightened little by little.

"Robby, it's always you begging me for this."

"Is that right? Then you won't have to anymore."

She didn't say another word.

A moment later, the bedroom door slammed shut so hard it jolted me right as I was about to drift off. I turned around. She was already gone from the bed.

She'd slammed the door on her way out of the house, and moments later I heard a car engine start up outside.

I didn't chase after her. I didn't text her an apology the way I always did after upsetting her.

Instead, I could finally lie back down and sleep peacefully.

Ally didn't come home all the next day.

I didn't check up on her like I used to, either. Instead, I met with Clayton to work out the next steps. When he found out I wanted a divorce, he got so excited he nearly set off firecrackers.

"I knew you'd come around eventually! You were never cut out to be some house husband, having to report every hundred dollars you spend to her!"

I laughed. Then Ally called.

"It's dark out. Where are you?"

I was surprised. "You're home?"

Usually, after a fight, she'd leave me hanging at home for at least a week before her temper cooled enough to come back.

Just as I reached the front door, brilliant fireworks bloomed across the night sky again, the same as the night before.

While I stood there, caught up in the sight, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of me. A familiar figure stepped out and opened the door.

Ally smiled at me.

"Do you like it?"

"Is this for me?"

"What, did you think I'd forgotten you?"

She stood beside me, looping her arm through mine as we watched the sky together.

"I had a bit too much to drink last night. I'd sent my driver home early for New Year's dinner, so I had Zack drive me back instead. Don't read into it..."

"It's beautiful."

I stared at the fireworks, transfixed.

"Robby," Ally called.

I turned my head. "Hm?"

A flicker of displeasure crossed her face, but in the end she just sighed.

"I know you're upset that I threw him a fireworks show, but he'd only just gotten back, and with that comment you left before..."

"Why would I be upset with you?" I chuckled. "I got to see the fireworks you gave him too. Isn't that nice enough?"

"Robby..."

She went still.

"Anyway, thank you. This one's even better than last night's."

She studied my expression carefully.

"You're not angry?"

"Angry about what? You two grew up together, and he just got back from abroad. Isn't it only natural you'd give him something?"