The Double Standard Couple

Henry had a female “buddy.” Their bond was so tight they’d share a bed, even scoop ice cream from the same bowl. I insisted they keep their distance. He grew impatient: "If anything was going to happen between us, it would've happened ages ago. Can't we just trust each other?" Fine. I turned around and found myself a male best friend. 1 When Henry once again spent the night out with Violet, I reacted with a calm indifference. He came home around noon, carrying a box from a fancy pastry shop. Seeing me, he uncharacteristically offered an explanation: “It’s been a while since we all hung out, and I drank a bit too much, so I just crashed at a gaming hotel. But this time it wasn’t one bed, I slept on the floor.” He emphasized that last part. After all, last time, that particular detail had sparked a huge argument between us. I accused him of being married yet having no boundaries, relentlessly demanding a confrontation with Violet. Violet was a girl they’d all grown up with in the same neighborhood. I say “girl,” but her personality was more like that of a brash tomboy. She was chummy with everyone, like one of the guys. More than once, I’d seen Violet brazenly sitting on the laps of Henry and his friends, laughing, joking, and even sharing a drink without a second thought. At first, Henry would patiently explain. But eventually, he grew annoyed, bluntly stating, “If anything was going to happen, it would’ve happened long ago, and you wouldn’t be my wife anyway,” before slamming the door. What was even funnier was his friends trying to reason with me: “Violet’s like family, she’s just got that kind of personality. Henry practically sees her as a kid.” A kid? Is twenty-five considered a kid? I was disgusted. I warned him that if he couldn't maintain appropriate distance, I’d divorce him. From then on, Henry did keep Violet at arm’s length for a while. But the consequence was Violet subtly throwing shade at me in public: “Hey, Audrey, see? I’m not sitting next to Henry this time, am I?” “Henry, you really shouldn’t join us for a second round, or your wife will get upset.” “Henry’s not the same old Henry anymore, he’s got a leash around his neck. I wouldn’t dare go near him.” She’d say these things specifically when I was present, naturally creating an awkward atmosphere. Over time, my reputation as being petty, jealous, and unreasonable became widely known. My relationship with Henry began to cool and drift apart from that point. Snapping back to reality. I looked at the pastry box in Henry’s hand. What used to be my favorite treats now held no appeal. Henry noticed my coolness. He placed the box on the table, walked over, and hugged me, his voice a pleading tender: “Honey, haven’t you been wanting to see that movie? I’m not going to work today, so we can go see the one you’ve been looking forward to. I hear it’s really good.” That movie was one I’d been eagerly anticipating. As soon as it premiered, I asked Henry to go. He said he was busy. A few days later, I saw Violet’s social media post showing off movie tickets. Two tickets. Though no faces were shown, the distinct, long-fingered hand in the photo, wearing Henry’s wedding ring on its ring finger, was unmistakable. I caught the faint scent of pear blossoms on Henry, expressionlessly pulled away, and refused, “No, thanks.” I continued packing my suitcase. “Audrey.” Henry’s voice was laced with anger. Seeing my actions, he reached out and grabbed my hand: “Are you playing the running-away game again? I’ve told you, there’s nothing between Violet and me.” “I know.” I calmly pulled my hand free. “You’re just ‘buddies.’” He seemed to be speechless. Henry’s face flushed uncomfortably. He sheepishly let go of my hand, frowning, “Then what are you making a fuss about now…?” “I’m going on a business trip,” I explained. Henry’s expression grew even darker. He stared at me for a long time, as if trying to detect any hint of pretense on my face. But there was nothing. My reaction remained perfectly calm. Because I simply didn't care anymore. Who he saw movies with, who he spent the night with, who he went on dates with… It was all, whatever. 2 My calm seemed to infuriate Henry even more. He appeared convinced I was deliberately giving him the cold shoulder and, in a misguided attempt to make amends, pulled out his phone to book movie tickets. I watched him frantically search. Finally, I couldn’t help but softly remind him, “That movie’s already out of theaters.” Henry’s finger froze on the screen. In that instant, I saw a mix of emotions cross his face. A silent, stifling tension filled the air. The pastries on the table slowly grew cold. I bent down, placed the last item in my suitcase, and zipped it shut. After that day, Henry’s demeanor towards me suddenly became overtly warm. During my few days away on business, he sent morning and evening greetings regularly, pressing me for my return time. I told him. On the day I flew back, I spotted his car outside the airport. A black Bugatti, parked by the curb. Seeing me, he quickly got out and naturally walked over to take my suitcase. But as I reached the car with him, I saw Violet in the passenger seat. She was lounging carelessly, legs propped up, an arm resting on the window. Seeing me, she smiled sweetly, “Hey, Audrey, want a ride? I’ll move to the back for you in a bit…” She was being playful, but despite her words, she made no move to shift. Henry finished stowing my luggage and came over. Noticing me standing still, his tone was a little awkward: “She happened to be nearby, so I’m just giving her a lift. She gets carsick, so I let her ride shotgun for this stretch.” During our past arguments, I’d brought up Violet’s old habit of monopolizing the passenger seat whenever we went out. But before I could say anything, Violet leaned her head out the window, eyes crinkling with a smile, and chimed in, “Good thing Henry was around today, otherwise I’d never get a cab from that godforsaken place. Audrey, you can check our group chat, it’s all there…” That group was their old childhood friends’ chat. I wasn't in it. “And if Henry had left me stranded, I would’ve told my godparents!” Violet continued, feigning a punch to Henry’s chest. Mid-swing, she seemed to remember something, pulled back, and winked at me with a look of mock apprehension, “Audrey, it’s just habit, I don’t mean anything by it, honest…” Ever since my big fight with Henry, Violet’s unrestrained physical contact had morphed into feigned caution. As if all her careful distancing from Henry was solely due to my nitpicking. But if Violet truly wanted to maintain distance, why did she soon resume spending nights out with them, going on private outings…? And I distinctly felt the subtle challenge in her eyes. In the past, these little games would have infuriated me. But now, I couldn't be bothered. Even when Henry told Violet to get out, I simply waved him off and opened the back car door: “It’s fine, I have a friend with me anyway. He’s going the same way, I’ll take the back with him.” “Friend? Where?” Before Henry could express his surprise, someone called my name. I turned around, and his face instantly changed. A handsome man, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, dressed rather flamboyantly, rushed towards me, dragging a suitcase. As he stopped, he complained: “Audrey, you’re so disloyal! I just went to grab my luggage, and you vanished in a blink.” The man said, pitifully hugging my arm, whimpering playfully: “I’m new here, you have to take responsibility for me.” 3 This scene left Henry and Violet simultaneously stunned. Soon, Henry reacted, pulling me close: “Is this the ‘friend’ you were talking about?” His voice held displeasure, and he stared at the man before him, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly. “Yep, I’m Audrey’s bestie, Nathaniel.” Nathaniel confidently shook Henry’s hand, then, with an air of familiarity, tossed his luggage into the trunk, and promptly plopped himself into the backseat, excitedly waving at me: “Audrey, come on in.” I moved to get in the car, but Henry blocked me. “Honey, there’s a proper distance between men and women. Sitting with another man like that isn’t appropriate, is it?” He was so close to me, I could almost hear his teeth grinding. I looked at him, puzzled: “Just a friend.” My peripheral vision caught Violet, still firmly planted in the passenger seat. For a moment, Henry was speechless. Nathaniel chatted with me the entire ride, making the front seat unusually quiet. It wasn't that Violet didn’t speak. She was typically boisterous. On every outing, she’d pull Henry into endless chatter, from childhood embarrassments to the latest neighborhood gossip. They’d go back and forth, but the topics were always ones I, relegated to the back seat, couldn't join. But today, no matter how Violet tried to initiate conversation, Henry remained distant. The thirty-minute drive finished in fifteen. After dropping off the two in the car, he promptly opened the passenger door: “Come sit up front.” I glanced at him, unmoving in the back seat, and gently refused: “I’m fine back here. I’m tired, let’s just go home quickly.” I closed my eyes to rest. In the quiet, Henry’s car door slammed louder and heavier than usual. 4 Henry walked into the house with a dark expression. I had just changed my shoes and stepped out of the entryway when I saw him sitting in the living room, smoking. The crimson glow of the cigarette illuminated his face, his expression a shifting play of light and shadow. “What’s your relationship with that guy?” Henry took a deep drag from his cigarette, then viciously snuffed it out in the ashtray, looking up to ask me. I looked back at him, my tone even: “He’s my friend, my ‘sister,’ you know.” “A six-foot-plus man is your ‘sister’? Audrey, you went on that business trip with him, didn’t you! Spent days with that grown man…” Growing angrier with each word, Henry kicked my suitcase hard. I flared up too. I unzipped my suitcase, and seeing his furious face, retorted, “A business trip partner is either male or female. He’s got a good personality, easy to get along with. What’s wrong with having him as a ‘sister’?” “Of course there’s a problem! He’s a man! What kind of ‘sister’ is a man?!” “What? You can have female ‘buddies,’ but I can’t have male ‘sisters’?” My single sentence choked him. I had never seen so many vibrant expressions cross Henry’s face. There was shock, chagrin, and suppressed frustration. Finally, he almost spat out from between clenched teeth: “Violet’s different. She grew up with us, if anything was going to happen long ago…” “And Nathaniel and I are different too. Can’t we just trust each other?” I cut him off, stating it unequivocally. 5 Henry had been put in his place. For several days, we were locked in a cold war. After a few tense days, his parents invited us for dinner. At the dinner table, my in-laws noticed the strained atmosphere between us and subtly prodded Henry: “Henry, Audrey moved so far to marry you. You can’t treat her badly.” Henry and I were college sweethearts. I was an only child. According to my original plan, I should have returned to my hometown after graduation. But for him, I resolutely stayed here. Listening to his parents, Henry’s expression softened. As we were leaving, he took my hand: “Audrey, I…” Before he could finish, someone threw an arm around Henry’s neck. “Henry, it’s rare for you to be back, want to hang out?” It was Violet. Once again, she was casually draped over Henry, arm slung around his shoulders. But this time, Henry didn’t smile back as usual. Instead, he gently removed her hand and looked at me, a little flustered. Violet noticed me too, made a “tsk” sound, and began to wink and grimace: “Oh, it’s Audrey, is it?” Saying that, she took a deliberate step back, right into the arms of the group of people who had followed her. “Henry, you’ve been back and haven’t even said anything in the group chat. If Violet hadn’t seen you, you would’ve just escaped!” “Exactly! It’s rare to have everyone here, why not all hang out?” The group started egging him on. Henry’s face clearly showed his temptation. But unlike before, he didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he looked at me, seeking my approval. Everyone noticed. Although married, that group of people, to varying degrees, kept their distance from me. Firstly, I wasn’t part of their circle, and secondly, because of Violet… they couldn't relax when I was at their gatherings. “How about we all go hang out?” Henry tentatively asked me. Almost simultaneously, I sensed the tension in the air. Violet was even more obvious, pouting and constantly winking at the people around her. Everyone was waiting for my answer. They didn’t expect me to come, but they expected me to let Henry go. As they wished. I pulled my hand from Henry’s, my voice calm and gentle, and said: “Then I’ll just take a cab home.” No one spoke. The atmosphere became strangely silent. After a long pause, Henry hesitated, seemingly relieved but also guilty: “Then, I’ll be back early.” He offered a reassuring promise. And I just smiled, walking straight out of the yard. As I turned my back, someone blurted out: “Henry, has your wife changed her mind? Not jealous of Violet anymore? She’s letting you come with us?” 6 Eleven o'clock that night. Henry hadn’t returned. I didn't ask. Because I had just made plans with Nathaniel. A few friends and I headed to the liveliest bar in town. The pounding music rattled my eardrums, offering a sense of reckless abandon. Our group found a spacious booth and quickly started having fun. After a few rounds of drinks, the person next to me suddenly pointed excitedly and shouted: “Holy shit! They’re playing something wild over there.” Everyone immediately grew curious and turned to look. I turned too. And saw a familiar crowd. At the table not far away, it was Henry’s gang of childhood friends from the neighborhood – seven men and one woman. The table was piled high with empty bottles. Henry was at the head of the table; I couldn't clearly see his face from this distance, but judging by his posture, he was looking down at his phone. Soon, his phone was snatched away by Violet. Then, Violet straddled him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and held up a bottle. Everyone was used to it, some even stood up and started cheering: “Looks like they’re playing King’s Game, mouth-to-mouth drinking.” “This girl is something else! She was asked to take off her bra just now, and without a word, she pulled it out and hung it around someone else’s neck. That move, ten tough guys couldn’t match.” “Seen men on women, but never seven men and one woman.” Everyone was laughing. I wasn’t. Because I saw Henry put down his phone, and amidst all the cheering, he let Violet lean in with the drink in her mouth, opening his lips to meet hers… Utterly disgusting.