I Won’t Answer Your Calls Anymore

My fiancee, Bianca Milas, had a peculiar quirk. She never answered my phone calls after 9 p.m.. Even during our honeymoon phase, she would hang up on me without hesitation as soon as it was 9 p.m.. Once, I came home late and realized that one of my enemies had sent killers after me. In a panic, I had called her. When she finally answered, she simply said impatiently, “Grow up. Ever heard of respecting someone’s routine?” That night, I was slashed three times and nearly lost my life. One day, while using her computer, I accidentally saw a call log synced to her phone showing a call from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.. Every single night, for five years, she had been engaged in twelve-hour calls. I recognized the number. It belonged to her mother’s student, Derek Steadman. Derek worked as her teaching assistant. My whole body sagged, and fatigue washed over me. I sat there motionless for a long while, then called off our marriage license appointment. She never answered my calls, so I did not see the point in answering hers any longer. Chapter 1 Benedict's POV When I got the confirmation that the marriage license appointment had been canceled, my fiancee, Bianca Milas, stepped out of the bathroom. She saw me sitting there motionless. She frowned and said, “Is there anything you need to tell me today? It’s almost 9 p.m.. I’m going to bed soon.” I paused for a moment before shaking my head and said, “No.” She nodded. “Okay, good night.’ She did not even notice my change in mood, or at least she did not bother to. Without hesitation, she simply turned and went back to her room. For a while, I remained sitting there in a daze. Just as I was about to get up, the dark computer screen suddenly lit up, and a call from Derek Steadman, her mother’s student, popped up in sync with her phone. Bianca, who never answered calls, never spoke, and never replied to messages after 9 p.m., picked up within one second, as if she could not bear to keep him waiting. I let out a bitter laugh. It was so considerate of her. Unfortunately, that same level of consideration never extended to me, her actual husband. By the time I went back to my bedroom, Bianca had already closed her eyes and appeared to be asleep. I noticed things I had never noticed before. Her phone was face down. There was a tiny, black earbud in her right ear. I turned off the lights. In the darkness, I replied to the work relocation notice my manager, Mark Miller, had brought up last week. I had not agreed back then because I did not want to be in a long-distance marriage with Bianca right after we got married. But that was no longer a concern. Mark promptly replied, “Are you sure? It’s a minimum five-year contract at the embassy in Clairvaux. If you’re in, get your visa sorted. We leave in three days. I answered with a simple “okay.” Beside me, Bianca’s breathing was slow and steady. Derek had to be feeling quite at ease at that moment as well. I lay down, and there might as well have been a wall between us. I spaced out for a moment, then closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. When I woke up the next morning, Bianca was already standing in the walk-in closet. I got up and touched her phone. It was hot. After gathering all the documents needed for the visa application, I glanced at her briefly and headed out the door. Just as I brushed past her, she called out to me in surprise, “Aren’t you going to curl my hair for me?” I smiled plainly and said, “I’m not doing it anymore. You should learn how to do it yourself.” I paused, then added, “Or have your teaching assistant do it.” She put down what she was holding and walked over. She looked at me with a confused expression and asked, “Are you talking about Derek?” Just at the mention of his name, her usually stern and sharp expression softened instantly. She smiled and said, “He actually does know how to curl it, and he’s pretty careful about it. But what does that have to do with you curling my hair?” I was speechless for a couple of seconds. I did not even know where to begin, so I simply let it go without explaining. “Nothing. I just don’t feel like doing it anymore.” She pursed her lips, visibly upset. “Fine, suit yourself. Oh, and don’t bother bringing me lunch today. Derek just texted. He says he’s bringing some for me.” My hand paused on the doorknob for a moment. “Okay.” She had severe stomach issues due to her work, so in the past, no matter how busy I was, I always cooked for her. Well, it was a good thing Derek had brought food for her. I did not need to do that any longer. With that thought, I no longer wished to care what she was feeling. I simply turned and closed the door behind me after speaking. I went to the embassy to apply for a five-year work visa. Then, I went to my workplace to collect the transfer letter. After placing my belongings in my bag, I watched the flowers bloom at the entrance of the Foreign Service Institute. A wave of unprecedented sense of lightness and relief washed over me. Just then, I remembered something. I logged into the county clerk’s portal and canceled our marriage license application. There was no point keeping it active. It would not be needed again. Chapter 2 On my way home, I received a call from Mark. He asked me to go to Ashford University School of Fine Arts to pick up a document on his behalf. After he hung up, I sighed. I had been trying to keep my distance, but Bianca was a professor at that exact school. Upon arriving at the art school, I walked right into the swarm of students heading to class. I happened to overhear some students talking. “I barely managed to snag a spot in Professor Milas’ class. She’s crazy popular.” “Right? The guys all show up for her, and at least half the girls come for Mr. Steadman, the teaching assistant. I have to admit; they make a great couple.” I slowed down. A bitter feeling washed over me. In the five years we had been together, I was never once introduced to Bianca’s friends or colleagues, even when we were head over heels with each other. When I brought up posting a picture of us, she, the ever-meticulous art school professor, would give me that look and lecture me like I was some clueless teenager. “Benedict, grow up. “You’re not a teenager anymore. Quit it with this empty, flashy stuff. It’s beneath me. I’m a professor.” I was stunned when I heard that. Ever since then, I never brought it up again. The girls beside me kept chattering about Bianca and Derek’s relationship. “Seriously though, Professor Milas’ profile on the official site says she’s married, and I’m telling you, it’s totally Mr. Steadman. Otherwise, how come nobody has ever seen her husband?” “Exactly. That stern, untouchable ice queen only ever smiles at him.” As the two girls walked further away, my footsteps faltered until I stopped by the corridor. All the pain I had been holding onto hit me all at once. I took a deep breath and thought to myself, “It’s alright. I’ll be gone soon. In three days, none of this will matter anymore.” After picking up the documents for Mark, I passed by a professor’s office and heard familiar playful laughter. “Come on, have a bite. It’s delicious!” Through the crack in the door, I saw Derek and Bianca sitting together eating breakfast. Derek tried to make Bianca drink soy milk. I had tried to make her drink soy milk before. She had stormed off and left me alone at home. At that moment, she simply frowned. When Derek nudged her, she let out a helpless, affectionate sigh and drank it. Derek’s eyes lit up and asked eagerly, “How was it? It’s good, isn’t it? She nodded and said, “It’s okay.” I could not help but laugh bitterly at myself. Five years together, and I never knew she had such a gentle and accommodating side. In the office, she naturally used a tissue to wipe away crumbs from the corner of his mouth and asked softly, “Did you get some sleep last night?” “I did. You know me. As long as you’re on the line with me, I sleep like a baby.” He then thought of something else and added, “But I heard that you don’t pick up calls after 9 p.m., though. Would I be bothering you?” Without hesitation, she said, “You’re the exception.” Her brief reply made my heart clench in pain. Hearing her say it out loud was momentarily brutal. But that moment almost immediately gave way to numbness. I had learned to accept that our relationship was over. It hurt to move on, but I knew that time would heal. I leaned against the wall for a long moment, regained my composure, and walked away. When I returned home, I took out my suitcase and slowly packed my belongings into it. In the end, the place I had lived for five years could not even fill a single suitcase. That evening, Bianca called. “Get ready to come downstairs. We’re going to my mother’s place for dinner tonight.” I just gave a brief response. I instinctively walked over to the passenger side when I saw Bianca’s car parked by the roadside. When I opened the door, I found Derek already sitting there, eating chips. “Oh, Ben.” At the sight of the crumbs dropped onto the seat, my first reaction was to look at Bianca. She disliked it when anyone ate in her car, including me. But this time, her expression remained indifferent, as if she had long grown accustomed to it. Only then did it dawn on me. Derek was her exception. Derek quickly wiped his mouth and tidied the seat. “Let me just sit in the back, I—” I smiled calmly and said, “It’s fine. Stay put. It’s just a seat.” When I opened the back door, I caught a flicker of confusion in Bianca’s eyes. I just ignored it. This was not unprecedented. Every time, it had ended with Bianca impatiently scolding me, saying, “Benedict, it’s just a seat. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.” I watched the drizzling rain from the window and realized I felt none of the sadness or resentment I used to carry. Even I was surprised by how calm I felt. She was right. It was just a seat. It was just a person. They were all the same to me. I could just let them go. Chapter 3 When we arrived at Bianca’s family home, her mother, Jenny Milas, was already outside, eagerly waiting for our arrival. Derek got out and rushed over to her, all smiles and flattery. “Mrs. Milas, it’s windy out here. You didn’t have to come all the way out here. Please, get inside.” Jenny smiled warmly and responded, “I was waiting for you. I felt bad making you work for Bianca. “She’s a peculiar one.” He glanced at her and blushed as he said, “She’s wonderful.” The two of them turned to head inside. After walking about sixteen feet, Jenny remembered something and looked back. Her gaze toward me had grown noticeably more distant. “Oh, Benedict, you came as well. Come in. Don’t let the cold get you,” she said briefly. Bianca walked up beside me, lowered her gaze, and frowned. “Are you upset about something?” “No.” I only felt relief. She pursed her lips and said, “If your work isn’t going well, leave it at the door. I don’t want to live with someone who mopes around all day.” My hands, hanging at my sides, clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. How absurd of me to think that she might have noticed or cared that I was not being myself. I stopped walking. The warmth in my gaze toward her faded, replaced by calm. “I feel how I feel, and I’ll act how I act. If it bothers you, that’s your problem. “I’m not your butler on standby to cater to your every whim.” She pursed her lips and was visibly mad. “Benedict, you’re a grown man. We’re about to get married. I prefer a husband who can keep his emotions in check.” I scoffed. “Who do you think meets your standards?” She pondered seriously for a moment, but I already knew the answer she had in her mind. “Whoever that person might be, the one I’m marrying is still you. “You know, you could learn a thing or two from Derek. He handles his feelings really well. Do you see what I mean?” I stared at her for a couple of seconds, then smiled. “Of course.” When we reached the dining room, Jenny made sure Bianca and Derek sat by her sides. I simply took another seat without saying a word. After I sat down, I noticed that not a single dish on the table was to my liking. Jenny laughed wholeheartedly as she chatted with the two beside her as she constantly piled food onto Derek’s plate. “Look how thin you are. “I know you worked hard, but you still have to take care of your health. Bianca had me prepare all your favorites.” Derek smiled sheepishly. “Thank you, Mrs. Milas.” She paused for a second before glancing at me awkwardly and forcing a smile. “Benedict, I don’t know what you like, so just make do. “Next time, just tell me what you like ahead of time, and I’ll have someone to prepare it. “I mean, you don’t really have any particular preferences anyway. “Unlike Derek, who’s crazy for anything sweet and tangy. You know, like barbecue ribs, honey-glazed ham, all that.” I stared blankly at the barbecue sauce on my plate, which I was allergic to, for a long moment. Bianca and I had been together for five years, yet Jenny had no idea of my likes and dislikes. She knew Derek’s preferences by heart, and every word she said felt like a slap in the face. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Mark. He had sent details of my flight. From the flight details, it said that my departure time would be 8 a.m. the next day. I felt a sense of relief. I did not touch my food throughout the meal, and Bianca did not even notice. Feeling like a bystander, I quietly watched how well the three of them got along. I did not belong there. Nor did I want to. Chapter 4 On the way home, Derek took the passenger seat again. Bianca drove him home first. I sat in the back, communicating with my landlord in Clairvaux about the apartment. Bianca said, “Come sit in the front.” Without looking up, I briefly replied, “No, thanks.” “Suit yourself.” All I cared about at the moment was the sunlit apartment I had seen online. Satisfied with it, I immediately paid the deposit. After we got home, she took a catalog out of her briefcase and walked over to me. “Take a look.” Confused, I looked over and realized it was a catalog of wedding rings. “Go ahead and pick one soon. The wedding is in a month. The jewelers will need time to prepare.” She pointed at a ring engraved with willow branches. “This one is nice.” I looked at it in disdain. Derek liked willows. She really did think of him in every way. In the past, I would have lost my temper. But I just nodded calmly and said, “Sure. Let’s go with that one.” After all, I would be leaving the next day. I would not have anything to do with the wedding. She seemed pleased with my compliance and rewarded me with a peck on my cheek. “You’re the best. “Isn’t this much better? I didn’t like that grumpy face you were making earlier. Don’t make that face again, okay?” With that, she turned and walked into the bathroom. I took a disinfectant wipe and rubbed my cheek until it turned red. Sharp at 9 p.m., she turned off the lights and got into bed. As usual, she placed her phone face-down and placed a Bluetooth earbud in her right ear. She did not seem to notice the empty game room and bathroom. Nor did she see the suitcase by my nightstand. That was not surprising. She never cared about anything other than Derek. In the middle of the night, I was jolted awake by a sharp, piercing scream. Beside me, Bianca also snapped her eyes open and sat up in a panic. She urgently spoke into her earbud with a trembling voice, “Derek, what’s wrong?” In the quiet night, I could hear his voice shaking on the other end. The same woman who was always ice-cold and unreadable became extremely restless. She flung the covers aside, bolted out of bed, and left the house in a hurry. She abandoned her so-called 9 p.m. rule and routine without a second thought the moment Derek needed her. I could not follow her, but I could not fall back asleep either. I mindlessly scrolled through my phone. That was when I learned that Ashford University’s campus forum had blown up. [Some psycho broke into the faculty building. Pretty sure Mr. Steadman from the Arts Department is the one in danger!] [He’s okay! Live update for you guys. The psycho had a knife and was hanging off Mr. Steadman’s window. He was seconds from busting in when Professor Milas rolled up with her bodyguards.] [Professor Milas looked absolutely scary. She gave her bodyguards a direct order to beat that psycho down!] [Police just arrived, too.] I watched silently in the cold, dark bedroom. Each post came with a photo, and every image was painful to see. A video followed shortly after. I tapped to play it. Sure enough, the strict, aloof woman who always preached about following rules and being disciplined had lost her composure. She had grabbed one of the guards’ batons and was mercilessly beating the mentally-ill person. She only stopped when the police arrived. Then, she hugged Derek tightly before pressing gentle kisses to his face to calm him down as he still looked dazed. The video went viral. Everyone called them the perfect couple. I stared at the screen for a long time. The top comment said: Please stay in love forever! I pressed like and closed the app indifferently. That night, Bianca never came home. I was not surprised at all. I slept soundly and woke at 6 a.m.. I grabbed my packed suitcase and documents, took one final look at the wedding ring catalog on the table, and left the keys by the door. I left without looking back. At the airport, before I boarded the plane, I posted and pinned my engagement cancellation post to the top of my feed. The moment the plane took off, I knew Bianca and I were done for good.