Riddles in the Dark

The corporate retreat was Elena's idea—something about rebuilding trust after the merger. She stood at the front of the banquet hall, wearing that sphinx-like smile she'd perfected over fifteen years of marriage. The kind that asked nothing and revealed less.

Marcus swirled his wine, watching her from across the room. She was surrounded by yes-men, perched at the apex of their little social pyramid like she belonged there. Like she hadn't spent last night crying in the guest bathroom because he'd forgotten their anniversary again.

"You're staring," a voice said beside him.

Marcus turned. It was Sarah from accounting—twenty-six, sharp-eyed, the only person who'd called out his department's bullshit budget projections during the merger meeting. "Just thinking," he said.

"About Elena?" Sarah's tone was gentle. "Everyone knows, Marcus. The whole office knows."

He set down his glass. "Knows what?"

"That you're miserable. That she controls everything—your schedule, your friends, your career. That you haven't made a decision for yourself in a decade." She leaned closer. "There's spinach in your teeth, by the way. From dinner."

Marcus laughed bitterly. "Of course there is."

"I'm not trying to be mean." Sarah's voice dropped. "I'm asking why you stay."

He looked at Elena again. She was laughing now, head thrown back, diamonds at her throat catching the light. She'd be furious about the spinach. She'd be mortified that he'd been talking to Sarah. She'd have opinions about everything—what he said, how he said it, what it meant about his commitment to their partnership.

"Because," Marcus said, "the alternative is starting over at forty-two. Because she's all I know. Because I'm terrified that she's right—that I couldn't survive without her running everything."

"That's bull," Sarah said. "And you know it."

Marcus met her eyes. Really looked at her. For the first time in years, he saw something besides his own reflection.

"Yeah," he said slowly. "I suppose it is."

He crossed the room toward Elena, spinach and all. The riddle had an answer after all.