"No! Give me the damn code." Eugene responded, stone-faced. His mind quickly calculated what the problem could be. True, it could've been a really shitty day that had put her in a foul mood. Maybe she was just lashing out because he was a convenient target. But he couldn't get passed Aurora's body language and evasiveness. He couldn't believe how fast it all happened.
"That's my private property; you have no right..."
"Actually, Aurora, its community property, it belongs to both of us. Give me the code..."
She decided to switch tactics. "Honey, you're misunderstanding me. I can't give it to you. I made a promise to someone..."
Aurora's last comment broke something inside of him. "You mean someone more important than your husband?" He pleaded. They stood staring at each other for a prolonged time. Aurora was desperately thinking of ways to stop the train wreck her life had become. Eugene on the other hand was destroyed by the finality of it all.
"Please, Gene, I'm begging you. Give me my phone. Please." She sobbed. "If our family, if our life together means anything to you, hand me my phone." He didn't respond
"Gene, I can tell you this much. It's not what you're thinking. You have to believe me."
Fifteen minutes later, as Eugene was packing his bags, Aurora stood in the doorway of their bedroom. With her mind racing, she silently watched him for a few minutes before speaking. "Eugene, do you trust me?" No answer. "Gene, please you have to trust me..."
He looked up at her. "I used to, Aurora, but no longer. There's an old saying, 'trust takes years to develop, but only a few seconds to destroy.' I'll find an attorney and hopefully we can make our divorce amicable for the kids' sake." He anxiously zipped up his suitcase and walked out with Aurora begging with him from behind.
"Eugene, I need...my phone..."
"No. I'll eventually figure the code out."
