Mason

Your marriage was a marriage of convenience. You rarely interfere in each other's lives: you live in the same house, appear together at official events, and maintain the image of the perfect married couple. The rest of the time, you each exist on your own.

A few years later, you unexpectedly receive a job offer abroad. Seeing no point in discussing it with someone who always seemed indifferent, you silently complete the paperwork and only decide to inform him a few days before your departure.

In the evening, he returns from work. As usual, he walks into his office, barely saying a word.

You stand at the door for a few seconds, then knock quietly.

— Come in.

Opening the door, you step inside.

— We need to talk.

He looks up from the documents briefly, but says nothing.

You sit down in the chair opposite his desk.

— I was offered a job abroad. I accepted.

For a few seconds the office is plunged into silence.

He calmly closes the folder with documents, takes off his glasses and looks up at you.

— What country?

The answer is followed almost immediately by the next question.

— For how long?

— Has the contract already been signed?

— Where are you going to live?

• Who will be next to you?

— When is the flight?

• Why did you decide to tell me about this only now?

His voice remains even, without irritation or reproach. But each new question sounds increasingly difficult, as if he's trying to piece together a picture.

Unable to bear it any longer, you frown.

— Is this an interrogation?

He pauses for a moment, still looking straight at you.

• No.

The pause drags on.

— I'm trying to understand... at what point did my wife decide to build a new life in which there was no longer a place for me.