Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

I was just getting out of the car when, out of nowhere, he grabs my hand, pulling it harshly. I'm startled by the action and I lift my head in confusion only to find his eyes blazing.

"Where the fuck is your ring?" he spits, his eyes glaring at me.

Shit! What the hell? I slowly look from him, to my empty ring finger. Have you ever been confused about a situation? Like you know what you're being asked, know the answer, but you're still confused? Well, that'sright now.

"Harper, where is your ring?" he grits out while getting out of the car.

I watch his body unfold from the car, and then he is towering over me. His overwhelming presence rendersmute.

A little shake from him bringsback to the present.

"I don't understand what's happening right now," I mutter, still not sure why the hell he was livid over something so insignificant.

His face grows darker if that's even possible. It's like my answer just snapped something inside him.

"What's happening is that you're not wearing the ring I gave you and I want to know why," he growls, his face tight. Dumbly I reply, "I didn't see the need to." In my defense, my brain cells were already short-circuited from what happened in the gym and the car just a few minutes ago. "You don't see the need?" I nod numbly, still staring, as his face grew even tighter.

Sensing the danger, I try to step back, but it's of no use. His hands shoot out to stopfrom my retreat.

"I gave you the ring because I expected you to fucking wear it. Now where is it?" he pushes out in a taut voice.

"In my bag" At my answer, he grabs my bag. I watch silently and in shock as he rummages through it, before pulling his hand out. When he does, the ring he gaveis in his hand.

Taking my hand, he pushes the ring onto my finger before glaring at me.

"Don't fucking take it off," his warning is clear, so instead of antagonizing him anymore, I just nod my head.

He then handsmy handbag, walks pastand leavesin the underground parking lot alone. Sighing in tiredness and frustration, I follow him.

*** Gosh, this day sucked. Like really sucked.

I haven't been able to pay attention to anything since I started working. If my head wasn't obsessing over my odd situation with Gabriel, then it was wondering how Lilly was doing at school.

I was tired and irritable and I could barely focus on my work. I kept checking the tbecause I couldn't wait for five o'clock so that I could go hand just rest.

I'd thought of just asking Gabriel for permission, but I though against it. I needed to learn as much as possible. I couldn't ask for sick leave just because it was a shitty day.

At lunchtime, Gabriel had askedto join him for lunch when I'd gone to hand him sdocuments. Let's just say that I'm a coward. I didn't want to face him, so I told him that I was busy and didn't have tto eat lunch with him.

He didn't say a word, but with the way his jaw clenched, I knew he didn't like my answer. I didn't wait around, instead I fled to my office. It's alarming the number of times I've fled away from Gabriel.

"Look at what we have here." Which bringsto now. It's about four thirty in the afternoon and looking at Milly, I know that my day is about to get even worse. Sighing, I face her, "What do you want, Milly?" "This bitch has been corneringevery chance she can get. I let the nide remarks go, but I don't know how for, Kow long I can keep doing hat. At first, I thought it was cute Af how she tried to intimidate me, but lowly by slowly, I'm starting to lose Satience. ;wShe had her entourage behind her. Two women who were as mean as she was.

Her eyes skim overin disgust, before landing on my hand. Her eyes widen and I'm confused until I realize she's looking at my ring.

"Oh my god, you're married!" she practically screams the words.

We were in the common area and there were a few of us there. They all turn and look atat her words.

"You are a married woman and yet you have no shsleeping with Gabriel just to advance in life. How disgusting can you be?" she shrills as if she's actually offended.

I stare at her in shock. Unable to believe she would say such things about me. That she would announce it in front of everyone just to shand degrade me.

"Stop it. You know nothing." I snap when I finally get over my shock at her audacity.

Sneering, she steps into my personal space. "Why should I? It's clear that you're sleeping with the boss and the ring on your finger suggests you're married. So, not only ar a gold-digging slut, you are also a cheater." I look around, noting as those aroundstarted whispering among themselves. I feel even mortified when more employees start entering the room.

Milly, who never misses a chance, sees this as an opportunity to embarrassfurther.

"Does your husband know that you're having an affair with your boss? Does Gabriel know you have a husband or do you take off and hide your ring when he's fucking you?" I could feel myself shaking. Remember when I said that I was starting to lose patience with her? Well, I am about to blow.

I was just about to respond when Carol, another of Milly's followers rushes in, going straight to Milly.

"Milly stop it" she hisses in warning. "The company's social media page has just announced-" Milly pushes her away before Carol can finish her sentence, making her stumble in the process.

Turning to face the room, Milly addresses them. "I hate it when a woman uses her body to advance at work. Spreading her legs just to get ahead of others. Don't you just hate it? It's sad that Harper here doesn't know how to get by except by being a slut for her boss." They were whispering and nodding among themselves. Fuck this was so embarrassing. My jaw was clenched and my hands were itching to slap her. I was about to do just that when Gabriel's voice booms throughout the room.

"What the fuck did you just say about my wife?" he snarled walking across the room, his domineering presence suffocated the air. Gabriel crosses the room and then stands beside me, glaring at Milly.

"Wife?" she stutters.

When it dawns on her what Gabriel just said, the confidence she had minutes ago shatters into tinny million pieces.

I smirk when she swallows and fear fills her eyes.