The price of silence

Ashley had a secret she’d been keeping: an abortion that left her unable to have kids. The baby had been her professor's, but she’d told me it was a sports injury. To help her climb the career ladder, I happily became the man behind the scenes, a stay-at-home husband who took care of everything. I was basically her live-in housekeeper.

Then came her twenty-eighth birthday. I walked in on her in the office with her arms around her boss, Jake’s neck. She was making a wish: “I wish, no matter what our status is, that we’ll be together like this, day in and day out.”

Jake chuckled, “Aren’t you worried your useless husband will find out?”

Ashley scoffed, leaning in for a kiss, “That loser? He's just free help around the house.”

Jake laughed, then he kissed her face, again and again.

I stood outside the office door, the cold seeping into my soul.

What she didn't know was, her “useless” stay-at-home husband made several times her salary.

1

Ashley’s twenty-eighth fell on a bitter January day. I'd cooked a full meal and was waiting for her to get off work. She texted that she was stuck at the office and would be late.

"No worries, babe, take your time. I love you!" I replied.

I went out to the balcony for a smoke and noticed it had started to sleet. Remembering Ashley’s short skirt, I grabbed my parka and snow boots, then ordered a ride to her office.

When I got there, the building was dark and empty. Worried she’d braved the weather, I was relieved to hear her laughing from an office down the hall.

Quietly, I walked towards the office, excited to see her in work mode.

But then I stopped dead.

Ashley and Jake were locked in a passionate kiss. Her eyes were half-closed, and she was all smiles, “Jake, today’s my birthday. My wish is that we'll be together like this, always, no matter what.”

Jake caressed her cheek, “So what about that loser of yours back at home?”

“He’s nothing,” she whispered, leaning in for another kiss. “He’s just free domestic help.”

Jake threw back his head laughing.

I just stood there, frozen, watching them.

2

I turned and hurried out, each step feeling like a hundred pounds. It was like a gut punch.

Outside, the sleet stung my face.

About an hour later, Jake came out first. He spotted me, a flicker of mocking amusement in his eyes.

He smirked, “Ashley will be right out. You’re such a good little hubby, waiting for her.”

I ignored him and watched Ashley appear. Her hair was a little messy, cheeks flushed. She smiled at Jake, then sped up to catch him.

Then she saw me.

Her smile vanished. “What are you doing here? You should be home playing your video games,” she snapped.

Always so mindful of her reputation.

I just tossed the two bags containing her coat and boots down at her feet. Rainwater splashed onto her tights.

She went red in the face. Jake picked up the bags and helped her into the parka, glaring at me. “Ashley has a tough day. Instead of adding to it, you should be more supportive. What kind of man...