Drowning in Air

Vivian Garcia started as an unknown legal intern to become a partner at a top-tier law firmall to be worthy of me.

She was incredibly clingy, spending every moment she wasnt working either with me or traveling just to see me.

She once said she was a fish and I was the water, she couldn't live without me.

In the seventh year of our marriage, she was holding a little boy whose features vaguely similar to mine, her face glowing with adoration.

"Sweetheart, you're the oxygen in the air! Without you, I'd suffocate!"

Later, Vivian Garcia really did die.

And I, as her surviving spouse, took over her firm, gained control of all our joint assets, and incidentally drove her boy toy completely insane.

Initially, Vivian introduced Leo Rey to me as her godson.

She said Leo's birth chart was auspicious for usadopting him would finally help us have our own child.

I refused.

Vivian wheedled, pressured, and nagged relentlessly.

Finally, I gave in, on the condition that Leo be sent to an old apartment downtown and kept out of my sight.

That settled it.

After all, years of marriage without a child had become a sore point for everyone.

I discovered something was off between Vivian and Leo three months ago, thanks to a WhatsApp message.

"You posted saying you're a fish, your husband's water, that you can't live without him. So what am I to you?"

"Sweetheart, you're the oxygen in the air! Without you, I'd suffocate!"

"Oh, you..."

"Just wait, I'll make you love it..."

The voice message lasted only seconds before it was quickly deleted.

A young, soft male voice laughing, and a familiar, steady yet eager and impatient woman's voice.

One listen was all it took.

The voices belonged to Vivian and her godson, Leo.

That eagerness in Vivian's voice used to come out every time she touched me.

But for the past three years, I hadn't seen it.

Just like in that recording, back when Vivian pursued me, her world revolved entirely around meheart and soul.

At the peak of our passion, she declared to everyone that she was a fish, I was water, she couldn't live without me.

To be worthy of me, she completely transformed herself.

From that unknown legal intern, through sheer grit and countless sleepless nights, she became a partner at a top-tier law firm.

As my father put it, Vivian had rewritten her destiny in seven years.

We finally stood together without anyone whispering behind our backs.

Even new colleagues at her firm sometimes looked at me with respect and envy.

I never imagined that the woman who once clung to me 24/7 could change her heart so quickly!

I asked myself that before that WhatsApp message, had I noticed anything off about Vivian?

Yes.

But she came home every night.

Even dead drunk, she'd murmur my nickname in her sleep.

I'd see her clutching my hand, our fingers intertwined, even she was unconscious.

I'd hear her apologize, over and over, for the pressure from her parents about having a baby.

I felt guilty for my suspicions.

I ignored that faint, unfamiliar scent of cologne that sometimes clung to her.

I couldn't believe that the woman who once adored me, who would have laid her heart at my feet, would ever betray me.

That WhatsApp message forced me to re-examine Vivian and our entire marriage.

"Hubby, saw a food truck selling hot dogs, want me to bring you one?"

Just then, Vivian's text came through.

I looked at the stack of organized files and the drafted divorce papers on my desk.

Knowing the confrontation ahead would likely take hours and I'd need energy, I quickly replied, "Yes."

I remembered when I first accepted Vivian's pursuit.

She was a summer associate then, making a stipend, but it was nothing after NYC rent and student loans

After rent and basic expenses, she barely saved anything.

Not wanting her to feel pressured, Isomeone used to Michelin-starred restaurantsstarted taking her to street vendors.

Five-dollar dirty water dogs, eight-dollar halal chicken over rice, four-dollar soft pretzelsstreet food I'd never tried, I learned to accept and genuinely enjoy.

Vivian, seeing me in my Tom Ford suit willingly eating a hot dog on a park bench, teared up and swore.

She vowed she would make it big one day.

The life I was accustomed toprivate clubs and tailored suitsshe wouldn't make me give up.

I told her the life I wanted, I'd build myself.

She just needed to be herself.

I was with her for her, for how she treated me.

If the day came she stopped treating me well, even if she made the Forbes list, I'd leave her.

"I'll treat you well forever! If I ever make you cry, you can kill me!"

"Make you cry? I'd deserve to die!"

She always acted so indebted, constantly vowing her devotion.

Swearing on her life.

I watched her tears fall, half amused, half moved and handed her a tissue.

But she grabbed my hand, insisting fiercely that I believe her.

She said everything that was mine would stay mineshe'd work hard to give me the best life.

Seeing her so determined and tough, I asked my dad to discreetly channel more opportunities her way.

In the legal world, success often comes down to who you know.

Landing big cases, building a reputation, finding loopholes in complex documents sometimes you just need someone to give you a leg up.

To spare Vivian's pride, I never told her that her first major break was backed by my father.

I waited.

Without realizing, I fell asleep.

I dreamed about Vivian's early days after passing the bar.

Days spent grinding at the law firm.

Weekends, me helping her track down case details, verifying facts that clients hid or smoothed over.

Exhausted, we'd share cup noodles from the convenience store.

Catching naps in the backseat of my car during breaks.

She'd let me rest my head on her arm without complaining, even when it went numb.

Before her, I'd never met a woman so patient, so gentle.

She was nothing like Joan.

I truly believed finding someone utterly different from my mother meant I wouldn't repeat my father's mistakes.

"Sir, you fell asleep. I put a blanket over you."

"It's so late now, Mrs. Garcia might not come home tonight. Maybe you should go upstairs and rest?"

The housekeeper woke me, laying a blanket over my shoulders.

I checked my phone.

Two hours had passed since Vivian said she'd bring me a hot dog.

I called her.

To ask if she was coming home tonight.

The call connected, but no one said hello.

Instead, I heard rhythmic sounds.

Confused, I listened.

"Ms. Garcia, who makes you feel betterme or your husband?"

Leo's voice came clearly through the phone.

I didn't have to imagine I knew exactly what they were doing.

My left chest tightened C sour, painful, suffocating.

Vivian was nothing like Joan... so why make the same mistake?

I couldn't understand!

"Of course, you!" Vivian gasped out the answer.

I silently ended the call.

Pointless questions weren't worth dwelling on.

I told the housekeeper to rest.

Wrapped in the blanket, I stared at the crystal chandelier above the spiral staircase.

That chandelier was the first thing Vivian bought for our marital home.

She said the first time she saw it, it reminded her of me.

She said I was dazzling, radiant, like that chandelierthat one look had captivated her.

I rolled my eyes, complaining it was gorgeous but a nightmare to clean.

She pulled me close, pinning me against the wall.

Her eyes burned with intense, fiery love.

"Owen, you deserve the most beautiful, the best things! If it's hard to clean, we'll replace it!"

"As long as you like it, I'd work myself to death gladly!"

Her words were getting out of hand, so I silenced her with a kiss.

She held me tight, like I was a priceless treasure.

Yet, in just a few years, she'd forgotten so many of her promises.

The housekeeper mentioned the chandelier recently was dusty and needed deep clean.

Vivian just absentmindedly said, Hmm.

Under my gaze, she didn't even remember her vow.

I gave a faint smile, watching her change shoes and walk out.

Since making partner, shed been busier than ever.

But the money she gave me kept increased every year.

My father, who once disapproved, now spoke of her with pride.

He'd even lecture me when we met, "Be good to Vivian. Dont take her for granted."

Remembering then and now, a bitter smile touched my lips.

In this marriage, who was really mistreating whom?

Vivian returned as dawn was breaking.

The drive from her office home usually take thirty-five minutes.

Add time to buy the sweet potatoan hour max.

Yet she took six or seven hours.

"Hubby, when I bought your hot dog, it reminded me think Leo likes them too, so I dropped one off for him. I was worried Id wake you coming back late, so I dozed off in the car for a bit. The hot dog's gone coldlet me heat it up for you..."

Vivian dropped her briefcase and rushed over to where I sat curled on the sofa.

She tried to kiss my cheek.

I turned away.

I noticed several strands of Leo's short, golden hair stuck to her blouse button.

The memory of those gasping sounds on the phone surfaced.

A wave of nausea rose in my chest.

I took a sip of water, forcing it down.

Meeting Vivian's eyes, my words held a double meaning.

"If the hot dog's cold, v. Some things are only good when theyre hot."

Vivian looked confusedshe didnt catch my drift.

But she sensed my mood was off tonight.

She stayed quiet.

Like a scolded child.

So obedient, so loving once C when did she become this stranger?

I dropped the act.

I bent down, picked up the divorce papers from the coffee table, handing them to her with a pen.

My expression stayed neutral.

After all, I'd been planning this divorce for three months.

The moment I confirmed Vivian and Leo, I decided it was over.

"Hubby, what is this? Okay, I admit I'm late, but you can't dump me over something this small?"

Vivian saw the words "Divorce Agreement" and panicked.

She sat beside me, eyes pleading and lost.

On the outside, Vivian was sharp, steady, quick-thinking, articulate.

With me, all these years, shed been this guileless, devoted woman.

"I know about you and Leo."

"Here's the schedule of your meetups over the plast three monthsphotos included. Here's the list of gifts you've given him."

"And this? Leo's fertility test results."

Calmly, I pulled documents from the desk and handed them to Vivian as I spoke.

Vivian never sent messages only to delete them.

So.

Three months ago, it was Leo who sent that voice message.

Leo had been eager to mark his territory because Vivian was pregnant.

Seven years marriedcountless methods, doctors, specialistsVivian had never conceived.

Desperate, she and her parents turned from science to superstition.

At first, I really thought Vivian "adopted" Leo just to have a child.

But discovering her pregnancy revealed their real plan!

Now that Vivian was pregnant, Leo, Vivian, and her parents must be over the moon.

Leo's provocation might even have Vivian's blessing.

To avoid being trapped, I needed a clean break.

My father's mistake? I wasnt going to repeat it!

"You know everything?" Vivian froze briefly, then dropped the act, her eyes turning icy cold.

"Owen, Im not divorcing you!"

"Once the baby's born, I'll bring it home. You can raise it. Youll always be my husbandthe father of my child. Leo agreed to ithe has no objections!"

"So, you're with Leo... for my sake?"

"Vivian, you're shameless!"

Even with my calm demeanor, this was too much.

Furious, I grabbed the documents and threw them right at her.

The edges of that A4 paper were sharp.

One cut her cheek.

Blood beaded up from the cut.

She stood rigid, not moving, eyes locked on me.

"I admit I'm shameless. But no matter what, I will always be your wife!"

"From the day I married you, I never planned to let you go!"

Vivian spat out those last words and stormed out.

Listening to her car fade down the street, I called my lawyer.

Years ago, she'd handled my father's divorce. Now, I needed her to handle mine.

Vivian received the divorce papers half a month later.

In those two weeks, she hadn't come home.

After our confrontation, she'd torn out all the surveillance I had at Leo's place.

So I had no idea if they were still together.

At the hearing, I saw Vivian.

Leo stepped out of the car with her.

At three months, her bump wasn't really showing.

But she was wearing maternity clothes and flat shoesplaying it safe.

Leo held the car door for her, shielding her head from the frame.

That careful, cautious touchit reminded me of how I'd treated her once.

The person cherishing her had just changed hands.

She was someone I'd loved deeply.

Even if I was throwing her away now.

Watching it all, my heart squeezed hard.

Truth is, if her affair had been with anyone but Leo, someone else, I might have endured longer, played along.

But Leo? The son of the man who ruined my father's marriagenow ruining mine? Unforgivable!

"Mr. Martinez, you probably didnt know? My name used to be Leon Martinez."

"After my parents went bankrupt and killed themselves, life was hell. Most days, I wanted to join them."

"But then I remembered I wasn't alone. I had a brother. Same by blood. Thats what kept me going."

Leo linked arms with Vivian, putting on a show.

His voice was soft.

He was smiling.

But his eyes were cold.

When Vivian first talked about adopting "Leo Rey," I didn't know he was "Leon Martinez."

I hadn't seen his picture. Had zero interest in a godson ten years younger than me.

My only rule is to keep him far away. Out of my sight.

I found out who he was three months ago.

After I discovered Vivian's affair, my investigation dug it up.

"You and Mr. Martinez are such good people. I'm lucky to know you!"

"Everything Mr. Martinez gave me, I could never repay."

"If your divorce is because of me I'm truly sorry."

Leo had been suppressed too long. Now, smelling victory, he struck.