He gave me the name of his lawyer and some advice. Document everything, secure your assets, and don't tip your hand until you're ready to move. Meanwhile, I kept up the dating charade. Amanda started going out more often, staying out later, and coming home with this glow I remembered from when we first started dating. Except now, it wasn't because of me.
I noticed she was starting to ask casual questions about my dating life. But in that way people do when they're fishing for information without wanting to seem like they're fishing. "How's the app thing going?" she'd ask while doing dishes. "Meeting anyone interesting?" Then she'd always follow it up with something about how she was sure I'd find someone appropriate for my level.
Bruno had the perfect response when I told him about this. Oh, she's fishing all right, but instead of catching information, she's about to catch these hands when she realizes you're not sitting around crying into your toolbox. I also noticed her watching me more carefully. She'd make comments about me going to the gym, like, "I guess you're trying to impress someone now." She would ask why I was working so much overtime with this accusatory tone, like I was stealing from her, and even seemed annoyed when I'd spend entire weekends in the garage instead of hanging around the house waiting for her to come back from her dates.
Now, here's what happened before everything went nuclear. One evening, while I was scrolling my phone, I matched with Valyria. I recognized her immediately. Valyria had been Amanda's roommate junior year and was in a bunch of their group pictures. She was the one Amanda always made passive-aggressive comments about, usually something about how Valyria always got all the attention or how guys would hit on Valyria when they were out together.
Valyria was objectively gorgeous, like movie star gorgeous, with dark hair, green eyes, and the kind of smile that makes you forget what you were saying. When we matched, I wasn't even sure if I should mention that I knew who she was, but Valyria brought it up first, saying she remembered me and asking if we were still together. I explained the open marriage situation, and she seemed genuinely surprised, but not judgmental. "Amanda always did like to shake things up," she said with this little smile that told me there was history there. Our first coffee date lasted 4 hours.
Valyria was everything Amanda used to be before we got comfortable. Intelligent, funny, actually interested in what I had to say. She asked about my work, my Impala restoration project, my thoughts on everything from movies to current events. She listened to my answers, and asked follow-up questions instead of just waiting for her turn to talk. Valyria and I started seeing each other twice a week.
The chemistry was immediate and intense, but more than that, being with her felt easy in a way I'd forgotten was possible. One evening when she came over, I was working on the Impala's transmission, and she actually seemed interested in watching me work. She asked questions about what I was doing, complimented my tools, and even handed me parts when I needed them. It was amazing having someone who appreciated the craftsmanship and skill that went into restoring a classic car instead of complaining about the time I spent on it or calling it a stupid hobby. She's beautiful, Valyria said, running her hand along the Impala's fender.
You've done incredible work on her. This takes real skill and patience. That might have been the moment I knew I was falling for her. Amanda had never once said anything positive about my car project. And here was Valyria genuinely appreciating both the car and the work I'd put into it.
Meanwhile, I was keeping up my new routine. Gym four times a week, extra projects at work, poker nights with the guys, weekends dedicated to the Impala. I was actually feeling better about myself than I had in months. I was getting in shape, making more money, and genuinely enjoying my free time instead of walking on eggshells around Amanda. Bruno noticed the change immediately.
Damn, man. You went from looking like a kicked puppy to looking like you just won the lottery. Valyria's got you glowing like a quinceañera candle. Amanda definitely noticed the changes. She started making comments about how I was never around anymore and asking why I was suddenly so busy, but with this entitled tone like I owed her my schedule.
The irony was incredible. She was the one who wanted space to explore other people. But she seemed bothered that I was actually using my time productively instead of sitting around waiting for her. I thought the point of this was for us to still prioritize our marriage, she said one night when I told her I was going out. You're acting like a single man.
Isn't that what you wanted? I asked. Not like this. You're supposed to still care about coming home to me. Her questions about my dating life became more frequent and pointed.