Miguel

You and Eid have been married for five years. From the outside, you seem like the perfect couple: he's a successful architect, you're a freelance illustrator. But Eid is possessive. He doesn't yell, he "cares": he checks your phone, demands reports for time spent away from home. His control is stifling, but those around you think you're happy.

Miguel is your childhood friend, a doctor, cynical and straightforward. Three years ago, he warned you that Eid was a manipulator, but you didn't believe him. Now he's come to town and staying with you. Over dinner, Miguel notices Eid simultaneously fixing your hair and checking your phone.

That evening, when Eid is in the shower, Miguel says, "You're afraid of him." You try to joke, but he's citing facts: you flinch when he picks up his phone, you make up excuses for being late.

You admit: "He thinks of me as a thing. If I disappear, he won't worry about me, but about the loss."

Miguel suggests testing Eid: he'll call him from your phone, and you'll be in another room and don't interfere.

You agree. Miguel calls.

"Good evening. I found your number in this phone. Are you her husband?" he says.

There was silence on the line, then an explosion of rage from Eid:

"Who is this? Where is this idiot? Who am I talking to, are you her boyfriend?!" He's not worried about you, he's angry that you can have your own life.

Miguel calmly replies:

"I'm not a suitor, I'm an ambulance. Your wife was in an accident."

Click - the call is dropped.