Larry was fed up. It had been years of trying to keep the peace, of bending over backward to keep Bethany happy, but today… today, he was finally drawing the line.
The sun had barely risen, but inside the house, tensions were already sky-high. Bethany, dressed in a sharp coat and gloves despite the mild weather, was pacing back and forth. Her eyes darted between Larry and the door as if waiting for some kind of miracle. She had been scheming for weeks, finding new ways to manipulate Larry, but today… today was different.
“Ladies first,” she said with a smirk, almost taunting him, as if she already knew how this would go.
Larry didn’t respond right away. He just stood there, silent, as if trying to gather the strength to say what he had been thinking for weeks. His mind raced, his heart pounded, but his resolve was stronger than ever.
He looked her straight in the eyes and, with a cold, calm voice, finally said, “No way.”
Bethany’s smirk faltered for a split second. She had expected him to argue, to bend. But Larry didn’t budge. He wasn’t about to let her dictate his life anymore.
“Excuse me?” she scoffed, her hands going to her hips, her voice rising. “You’re not taking me to the airport? Who do you think you are, Larry? I’m your wife!“
He didn’t flinch. He knew this wasn’t just about the airport. It was about control. It was about who ran the show. And Larry was tired of playing second fiddle.
“I’m taking Sharra to the airport,” he said firmly, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. “Not you.”
Bethany’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had never imagined he would stand up to her, not like this. She took a step forward, trying to regain the upper hand.
“So, what? You’re just going to leave me here? With no explanation? With no warning?” Her voice was shaky now, but the fury in her eyes was unmistakable.
Larry didn’t reply right away. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly what he was doing. And it was something he hadn’t done in years—he was choosing himself.
As he turned toward the door, Bethany grabbed his arm, her grip strong despite the tremor in her voice.
“Larry, don’t you dare.”
But he pulled away, his voice firm and unyielding. “I’ve had enough, Bethany. You don’t control me anymore.”
Bethany watched, helpless, as he walked out the door. She stood there for a moment, stunned, before the flood of emotions hit her. Anger, fear, betrayal—all of it came crashing down on her at once. She stormed to the window, looking out as Larry got into his car and drove away.
Her first instinct was to call him. To demand an explanation. But she knew better. He wasn’t going to listen. Instead, she grabbed her keys. The airport wasn’t far. She could still fix this. She’d find a way to make him see reason.
Larry drove, his mind reeling, but his decision was clear. He was going to pick up Sharra. He had made his choice. He was tired of being the pawn in this toxic game, and today, he was finally taking control.
As he pulled into the parking lot of the airport, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, seeing Bethany’s name flash on the screen. “I’ll call her back later,” he muttered to himself, hitting the ignore button.
He stepped out of the car, making his way toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, Bethany was already on the road, determined to beat him to the airport. She couldn’t let this happen. She couldn’t let Sharra take Larry from her, not after everything they’d been through.
The car ride to the airport was a blur for Larry. He wasn’t thinking about the past or what was to come. He was just focused on one thing: getting Sharra home. He had always cared about her, and despite everything, that connection was still there. But even now, as he approached the terminal, a part of him wondered if he was making the right decision.
He parked the car and got out, looking around for Sharra. That’s when he saw her walking toward him, her smile as bright as ever. She had always had that effect on him.
“Larry, I didn’t think you’d actually come,” she said, her voice warm, though there was a trace of doubt in her eyes.
“I said I would,” he replied, his voice steady, but his heart wasn’t as sure.
He opened the door for her, and as she slid into the passenger seat, Larry couldn’t help but glance back at the airport entrance, half-expecting to see Bethany running toward them, furious, ready to unleash her wrath.
Back at the house, Bethany stood in the parking lot, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. She had waited long enough. Larry was taking too long. Something wasn’t right. She knew exactly what was going on. “That little bastard,” she muttered under her breath.
Just as she turned to head back to the house, a car pulled up beside her. It was Larry’s. But the passenger seat was empty. “Where’s Sharra?” she asked, her voice dripping with venom.
Larry didn’t answer. He just stepped out of the car and looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and defiance.
“She’s not coming. Not today. Not with you around,” he said coldly, his words biting.
Bethany’s face turned red with fury. “You’re lying!” she spat. “You think I’m stupid?”
But just as Larry was about to respond, the door to the backseat opened, and a figure stepped out.
It was Sharra.
Bethany’s eyes widened. Her world began to unravel as she watched Sharra approach, her face unreadable.
Sharra walked toward Larry, and for the first time, Larry didn’t look back. His eyes were locked on Sharra’s as she reached him, and without saying a word, he turned and walked toward the house.
Bethany stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. “You… you left me,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Sharra turned, giving her a small, almost pitying smile. “I didn’t leave you, Bethany. Larry did.”
And with that, she walked inside.