9. Chapter Nine
Chapter nine
Harrison
It's been three days since Inés walked out on me at the gala, and I haven't really seen or heard from her since. My texts go unanswered; my calls go straight to voicemail. It's like she's vanished.
I can't say I'm not hurt. But more than that, I'm confused.
We've had our ups and downs like any married couple, but nothing ever felt this...
final before. Maybe I've taken her for granted these past few months, especially with Margaux around, but I never thought it would lead to something like this.
I love her. I thought she knew that. But maybe it's not enough anymore.
I'm in my office at Locke well, as fine as things have been lately. And then she just...left."
Margaux frowns slightly, her eyes studying me. "Did you two talk about it after the gala? Maybe there's something we're missing."
I shake my head. "No, not really. She's been avoiding me since then. I tried calling her, texting...nothing."
There's a pause before Margaux speaks again. "Maybe she just needs some space to process everything. You know how she gets when she's stressed."
I do know that about her. Inés tends to retreat into herself when things get tough or overwhelming. She shuts it all out until she figures out a way forward on her own terms. I used to find it endearing, how self-sufficient she is, but now...now it feels like a wall between us.
"Yeah," I murmur. "I guess so."
Margaux leans forward in her seat, her voice gentle but firm.
"Listen, Hal. If you want to talk about anything...
or just need someone to be there, I'm here for you.
" That's when I feel her hand on my knee, her touch soft but unmistakable.
It sends a jolt through me, reminding me of all the history we share, all those late nights at Columbia when we'd talk about our dreams and ambitions... and each other.
I clear my throat and shift in my seat, trying to ignore the way her fingers are still lightly resting on my leg. "Thanks," I manage to say, though it comes out gruffer than intended. "But I think I need to handle this one on my own." I pull away, standing up and walking over to the window again.
Behind me, I hear Margaux sigh quietly before getting up from her chair. "Alright," she says softly. "But remember...you're not alone in this either, mon amie. We all care about you. And we want what's best for L they haven't been the quality we've all come to expect.
That wife of yours is the best thing about this house. I hope she comes back soon."
My heart clenches at his words, but I nod even though he can't see me. "I will," I promise.
When we hang up, I stand there for a moment, staring down at my phone. As if by some strange force, my mind drifts back to the first time Inés and I met. I smile a bit despite myself, remembering her fierce intelligence and how she challenged me in ways no one ever had before.
I remember how we used to laugh about everything: the industry, our dreams for the future...each other. How easy it was to be with her in those early days when we were both just trying to make our mark on the world.
And now look at us.
Another phone call interrupts my thoughts. Part of me hopes it's Inés, but when I glance at the screen, I see another author's name flashing.
"Hello?" I answer, trying to sound more upbeat this time.
But it's clear from the first sentence that this isn't just another casual check-in. This author, too, is concerned about Inés. And then another calls after that, asking for her specifically.
By the time my fifth author has called in the span of three hours, I know something bigger is happening here than just my marriage hitting a rough patch. The writers are noticing her absence.
I keep hearing the same words: sloppy, distracted, off the mark. Those words associated with my publishing house make me sick.
She's only been gone a few days, and what? Everything falls apart? What kind of operation am I running here?
I text Margaux and ask about the edits and recent work with our authors. I've been out of the loop lately, so maybe it's nothing. But then she sends back a reply saying she hasn't had time to review those yet; she's been focusing on the big picture.
And when I do more digging, I learn Inés and her team have been correcting Margaux's work, until she left. I never knew. Margaux never told me. Was this what Inés was talking about at the gala? Was she trying to tell me something and I didn't listen?
Damn it. I've been blind this whole time, too caught up in old memories with Margaux to see what's happening right under my nose.
My wife is disappearing from my life, bit by bit. Was...was I pushing her away without even realizing it? No, that can't be it. But...what if it was?
I don't know what to do anymore. All I know is that something needs to change, and fast.
But as I look around my office, all I feel is this emptiness, this gnawing fear that maybe I've already lost her for good.