Free We Ended Up Together by Veronica Makers

people we'll disappoint if you leave," James explained.
    "Why should we go on living this lie for them?" Chloe responded.
    "Because it will cause chaos if we don't," James said. "Think of how this will ruin my life when you escape it."
    "You don't care that I'm miserable? You just care that the name you live up to will be dragged through the mud," Chloe accused, angered by James’ self-centeredness.
    "But face it Chloe, you're letting down your family and mine. Please just consider that for a minute," James reasoned. Chloe did take a second to understand what James was saying. But when she thought of spending another day home alone, or faking enthusiasm at a party, she stuck to her decision.
    "I can't do this for them. I have to think of myself for once. All my life I've been living with the fear of endangering my family's image. I just can't take another day of it," Chloe explained.
    "You can't leave. What am I going to do? Did you ever think of what this will do to me?" James asked again, bitterly. Chloe was shocked to hear his egotistical thoughts on the matter at hand.
    "I can't believe you would say something like that," Chloe said, angrily. "Can't you think of anyone other than yourself for once? Can't you see how unhappy I am?"
    "Why can't you consider my point of view? When you leave, I'm going to be the one dealing with the massacre," James stated.
    "I'm sure if you tell them what happened, they'll understand," Chloe pointed out.
    "Chloe I'm sorry about cheating and I'm sorry you don't love this lifestyle but can you please try once more," James pleaded again. Chloe shook her head.
    "It's not only this life, or that you cheated on me with two other women. James, face it, we have nothing in common. Part of the reason I can't stand this marriage is that we don't love each other. Our parents practically pushed us into this marriage for their own benefit, and we just went along with it," Chloe explained.
    "Why didn't you ever say something? We could have fixed this. I mean, I was dealing with it just fine," James stated.
    "That's because you were cheating on me with Becca and my sister," Chloe clarified. "Plus I didn't want to fix it; I only want to leave this for something better."
    James looked at the ground. He knew she was right. He didn't deal with it because he thought cheating would help get him through it.
    "So I guess this is it," James said, breaking the tension-filled air.
    "I'm going to go," Chloe said, softly. "Before I do, I'd like to return these." Chloe slid the wedding band and engagement ring off of her left ring finger. James looked at her with a hurt expression, as he held out his hand.
    Chloe placed the rings in his palm.
    "Thanks for giving these back," James said sincerely.
    "I'll talk to you soon about the arrangements for our divorce," Chloe said, James nodded. Then she picked up her bags, once again, and left the apartment. James couldn't help but feel upset, but he also felt happy. At least Chloe would be able to live the life she wanted.
    When she exited the building, she inhaled a deep breath of air. These steps were steps into a whole new life.
    She was free at last.

Chapter 8
    Brad twisted his doorknob with a flick of his wrist as he arrived home to his apartment. As he entered his living room, he noticed Chloe sitting on the couch, leaning over his coffee table. She was writing on something, her cinnamon hair falling over her face, hiding it from view. She kept her elbows rested on the table but raised her head to look up from her paper at Brad.
    At the sight of him in the entranceway, Chloe sat up straighter and tucked her hair behind her ears, giving Brad a shy smile. Brad admired the way the outer corners of her eyes crinkled with her smile. Brad returned the smile, happy to see her. He finally withdrew his gaze from Chloe long enough to notice the bags scattered around her.
    "What's all this?" Brad asked curiously as her gestured to the bags. He then placed his briefcase on the floor