My Husband’s Countdown Dropped When She Smiled At Him Chapter 05

My Husband’s Countdown Dropped When She Smiled At Him Chapter 05

He whipped his head toward the bedroom.

The door was half open.

He stormed in and ripped open the closet.

It was about a third empty.

My pajamas, a few of my everyday work clothes, and the gray carry-on were gone.

But my fancy skincare products were still on the vanity.

And in the jewelry box, the diamond ring and necklace he’d given me were still there.

Owen stood frozen in the middle of the room, chest heaving.

He pulled out his phone and dialed my number. “Sorry, the person you’re trying to reach is currently on another call.”

He tried again.

Still busy.

It finally hit him. I’d blocked him.

Three in the morning. Maya’s doorbell got pressed like someone was trying to break it.

I was sitting on Maya’s couch, staring into a mug of tea.

Maya peeked through the peephole and let out a dry laugh. “Your perfect husband is here.”

I didn’t move. Just took a sip of tea.

“Don’t open it.”

Maya nodded and went back to her room.

The knocking outside got louder, mixed with Owen’s strained voice.

“Nora! I know you’re in there!”

“Open the door. We need to talk.”

“You want a divorce because I didn’t come get you last night? Are you serious?”

He was yelling like he had every right to be angry.

In his mind, I was just throwing a tantrum.

Like every other time he’d ignored me before. He figured if he lowered his head and sweet-talked me a little, I’d forgive him.

Through the metal door, I listened to his breathing get faster and more frustrated.

“I threw away that rain jacket, okay? I told Paige to get rid of the humidifier too. Is that what you want?”

“Stop this. Come home with me.”

He still thought it was about the stuff.

I stood up and walked to the door.

Right on the other side of that thin slab of wood, I spoke quietly.

“Owen.”

The noise outside stopped instantly.

He pressed himself against the door. “Nora. You’re finally talking to me.”

“I’m not coming home,” I said, calm as still water. “I already signed the papers. You sign them when you get a chance. We’ll go to the County Clerk’s Office next week.”

“Are you insane?” Owen’s voice shot up high. “You want to divorce me over a jacket and a humidifier?”

“Seven years together. That’s what it’s worth to you?”

I smiled.

But there was no warmth in it at all.

“Yeah. That’s what it’s worth.”

“Go home, Owen. Don’t bother the neighbors.”

Dead silence on the other side.

I could picture his face. Shocked. Furious. Completely unable to understand.

Finally, he ground out one sentence through his teeth.

“Fine, Nora. I hope you don’t regret this.”

Footsteps fading away.

I looked at the clock on the wall. Four in the morning.

Without that countdown hanging over my head, I finally slept like a normal person.

The next morning, I walked into my office building and saw Owen standing in the lobby.

His eyes were bloodshot. Dark stubble on his jaw.

He clearly hadn’t slept all night.

When he saw me, he strode over and grabbed my wrist.

“Nora. Stop this.”

His voice had gone soft. Almost like he was doing me a favor by compromising.

“Nothing happened between me and Paige. I was just helping someone in trouble.”

“I already tore into her. And I’m fixing the project she messed up.”

I looked at his hand on my wrist.

But in my head, I saw that timer jumping backward.

So when the fear of losing me got bigger than his endless supply of sympathy, his love could grow again.

But it was too late.

“Let go.”

I looked at him with ice in my eyes.

Owen’s fingers froze.

He’d never seen me this cold before.

“Nora…”

Then a bright voice cut in from the side.

“Mr. Harper?”

I turned.

Paige was standing a few feet away, holding two cups of coffee. Her face was all innocent surprise.

She looked from Owen to me.

“Mrs. Harper, what’s going on?”

She hurried over, her expression full of fake concern.

“Are you mad at Mr. Harper because of what happened yesterday?”

“It was all my fault. He’s really a good man. Please don’t be upset with him.”

She pushed one of the coffees into Owen’s hand.

“Mr. Harper, you didn’t sleep all night. Drink some coffee.”

Owen looked at the cup. Then at me.

He let go of my wrist. Almost automatically.

“Paige. What are you doing here?”

Paige smiled easily. “I was dropping off some documents for a client. Saw your car outside, so I grabbed you a coffee.”

Easy. Another “easy” moment.

I looked at Owen. “Your sweet intern brought you coffee. Go get it.”

I turned and walked toward the turnstiles.

Owen stood there. He stared down at the coffee in his hand, and suddenly it felt like poison.

“Get out!”

He knocked the coffee out of his own hand. Hard.

Dark brown liquid splashed everywhere. Some hit Paige’s white sneakers.

Paige stumbled back, staring at him in shock.

“M-Mr. Harper?”

Owen didn’t even look at her. He charged after me, blocking my way again, his eyes red.

“Nora! Tell me what you want me to do!”

“You want me to let her die?”

I looked at his face, twisted with anger.

“Owen.”

I said his name like a final verdict.

“You don’t need to let her die.”

“You just need to let me go.”

“We’re done.”