Jac sat alone in the living room, the silence pressing in on her like a heavy weight. She stared at the photo on the mantelpiece, the one of her and Happy on their wedding day. God, they looked so happy back then. So in love.
The front door opened and Happy walked in, looking exhausted and disheveled. Jac felt a pang of jealousy as she thought about the women he'd been with during his travels.
"Hey, babe," Happy said, trying to sound cheerful. He held out a small box, a peace offering. "I got you something."
Jac scoffed, not bothering to hide her irritation. "A cheap trinket. That's all I am to you, huh? A quick stop on your never-ending road trip."
Happy looked taken aback. He wasn't used to Jac's directness, her sharp tongue. "Hey, now. That's not fair. I've been working hard to provide for us."
Jac rolled her eyes. "I don't need material things, Happy. I need you. Your presence, your commitment. Not some flashy necklace to make up for your absence."
Happy tried to pull Jac onto his lap, but she pushed him away. "I'm not in the mood, Happy. You know that."
Happy got up and went to the kitchen, Jac following close behind. "You never are these days," he said, his voice tinged with hurt.
"That's because you're never here!" Jac accused. "You're always on the road, chasing your freedom. Your women."
Happy tried to explain, but Jac wasn't having it. "It's just the nature of your job," he said.
"Bullshit!" Jac threw a glass at Happy, hitting him on the shoulder. "You love the road, the freedom. The women."
Happy yelled, hurt and angry. "You're out of line, Jac!"
Jac felt guilty for her outburst, but she didn't back down. "I'm sorry, Happy. I didn't mean to hurt you. But you need to understand how I feel."
Happy left the house, Jac watching him go with a sense of hopelessness. She knew he wouldn't change, that their marriage was on the brink of collapse.
But as the night fell, Jac made a decision. She was done being the passive partner, the one left behind. She was going to take matters into her own hands.
Happy drove away, guilt and regret heavy in his chest. He knew Jac was hurting, but he couldn't help himself. He was addicted to the road, to the freedom and the women.
But as he rode further and further away, he couldn't help but think about Jac and their troubled marriage. He wondered if he'd made the right choices, and if he was willing to change his ways for the woman he loved.
Jac sat alone in the living room, the silence heavy. But this time, she wasn't sad or lonely. She was determined. She was going to make a change, no matter what it took.
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