Without Her

chapter 4 - something is wrong

"No. That's changed not. I don't think he cares that way now. The work trip we're taking, I haven't told him because I know it wont matter to him if I'm in New York or Argentina" I state the hard truth and her expression changes to worried.

"Hey listen. These hard times appear in everyone's marriage and we're bound to make it through this. And you- I mean you guys have been through worse. The most drama filled couple I've known! So I'm positive that this is gonna back to normal soon, Tessa" she keeps her hand on mine and gives it a slight stroke.

"Thank you, I hope it does because I am exhausted, waiting for him"

"I know honey" she clicks her tongue.

Hardin comes home tomorrow and we leave for LA tomorrow. As much as I want to talk to him, I need time away from him. So it's for the best I guess.

Hardin's POV:

Tessa hasn't been picking up my calls or answer my texts. I wanted to tell her that I'm coming back tonight for her but she is hell bent on ignoring me, for which I don't blame her.

It's around 7 pm and I wonder if she's home because she has been attending late meetings at her office. I get to the apartment and it is empty, as I expected. There are a few suitcases and my heart skips a beat.

Is she leaving me? She cant. I'm her damn husband. She won't leave like this. But this is hell a lot of bags.

I throw my bag aside and run into out room and open her closet, her clothes are still inside. So what is she doing with the bags?

I call her office and her assistant picks up to inform me that she is not in the office tonight.

I ring her and it goes straight to voicemail

"Tess it's Hardin, I need you to call me back or just let me know where the fuck are you. Please" I leave a message.

After debating myself a lot, I open one of the bags and it's just women clothes and jewelry, stuff. Then it clicks me that Kim might have arrived. Tessa had mentioned Kim was coming to visit but it didn't cross my mind.

Of course the two besties might be having the time of their lives after being reunited after months.

I keep every thought aside, change into my boxers and hit the bed. It's been such a hectic day and I need some sleep right now.

Tessa's POV:

"Can I have my phone back?" I ask Kim and she shakes her head. "What if Charlotte is calling?" I say and she gives me an annoyed look.

"Listen, you're the boss. Nothing's gonna happen. You need to chill out a little. Stress stress, so much stress" she mimics an explosion and I laugh.

"Fine. Where are we going?" I give up and decide to obey her orders.

"There's this amazing steakhouse I've heard of and I've been wanting to try it since forever. We can go there and hit the bar later"

"Maybe just the steakhouse" I negotiate.

"No, and you need alcohol more than anyone right now. I'm not saying we should get drunk and all, but we could just have a few refreshing mocktails and hit on a few guys" she gasps.

"You do know we both are married right?" I remind her and she whistles.

She removes her wedding ring and pops it in her purse. "Not tonight" she says and I gasp. Watching my reaction, she laughs "Chill Tessa, it's just a bit messing around. We're not gonna cheat on our husbands. With the wedding rings, we get older women looks and I fucking hate that" she rolls her eyes.

My car has been loaded with her shopping bags. Whenever she comes here, it's the same routine. And I live for her priceless excitement about shopping even though she has every possible thing she would want.

I am not that hungry and it looks like I've lost my appetite because I haven't really eaten anything much in days.

"Your cough is getting worse huh?" she says, chewing her steak gladly.

"Yeah, I have some meds at home" I cough again and she looks at me with pity.

"You're getting sick Tessa, again" she puts her steak down and her tone shifts to anger filled with concern. "I am getting worried for you"

"It's nothing Kim. I'm sure it'll go away" I grab a tissue to cover my mouth.

"You've been saying that for months now Tessa. This is unacceptable. You're an adult and you need to take care of yourself" she stands up and walks away to bring me a bottle of water instead of asking the waiters here.

I am left stunned when I notice the red spot in the tissue I've been coughing on. This can't be blood- I cough into another clean tissue which also turns read.

"Here you go" Kim approaches the table and I quickly put the tissues away before she notices.

I grab the bottle and gulp down the water, ignoring the pain in my throat after tiring it from coughing so much. Kim is saying something but all I could think about is that blood.

There is something wrong with me.