He runs into his exwife, and jealousy paints his cheeks a sickly green.
Philippe meets his former spouse, and a flash of envy turns the flesh on his cheek a literal shade of green. He slams the refrigerator door so hard the contents shudder; an attached magnet pops off with a dull clang and hits the floor.
Clémence stands opposite him, pale, fists clenched.
So, feeling better now? she asks, lifting her chin.
Youre getting on my nerves, Philippe replies, voice trembling despite his effort to stay composed. Whats the point of this life? No joy, no future.
So its still my fault? Clémence offers a bitter smile. Of course nothing works out like you imagined.
Philippe wants to retort, but only gestures. He grabs a soda bottle, takes a quick sip straight from the neck, then slams it back onto the table.
Philippe, dont stay silent, Clémance says, voice shaking. Tell me, for once, whats really bothering you.
What should I say? he growls. Im tired of all this. To hell with it!
They stare at each other in silence for a few seconds. Finally, Clémance inhales deeply and heads toward the bathroom. Philippe collapses heavily onto the couch. The sound of water drifts through the doorshe must have turned the tap on to drown her sobs. It no longer matters to him.
A life that fell into routine
Three years earlier they had married. First they lived in the flat Clémance inherited from her parents, then moved to a country house, putting the apartment in their daughters name. The house was spacious but never renovated, its furnishings dated back years.
At the start Philippe was content: downtown, convenient for work. Over time, however, everything began to irritate him. Clémance loved her family refuge with its brown wallpaper and antique sideboard; Philippe saw only a lack of change.
Clémance, be honest, he kept urging. Dont you want to replace that awful floor with yellow linoleum? Update the interior, modernize?
Philippe, we dont have money for renovations right now, she replied calmly. I too dream of change, but we have to wait for the grants.
Wait?! Thats your philosophy endure and wait!
He often recalled how he had fallen for Clémance when she was a shy student, her sincere blue eyes and gentle smile enchanting him. He used to tell friends, Shes a bud that will bloom. Now it seemed the flower never truly opened and was already wilting.
Gift baskets
Clémance never saw herself as invisible. She simply lived as she thought, savoring small pleasuresa mint tea, a new tablecloth, a quiet evening with a book. Philippe interpreted all of this as stagnation and routine.
They didnt rush to divorcePhilippe didnt want to move back with his parents, and living apart wasnt feasible at the moment. Clémances mother, Madeleine, always sided with her daughter:
My son, Clémance is a good girl. Be glad you have an apartment.
Mom, you dont understand! Philippe snapped.
Her father merely nodded:
Let him manage it himself.
At home, Philippe grew colder: Shes like a shadow, a gray ghost, he thought. During an argument he shouted:
I once saw a beautiful flower in you! And now? Im living with a frozen bud
It was the first time in months that Clémance wept. On that same day everything collapsed, Philippe whispered:
Clémance, Im exhausted.
Exhausted by what? she asked.
By this life, by this endless routine.
Clémance grabbed her bag and left. Philippe hoped shed return and ask him to stay, but she walked out calmly:
Maybe its better if you truly live alone. Move out.
Philippe exploded:
I wont leave!
Its my parents apartment, Clémance said coldly. And I dont want to live with someone who sees me as a burden.
With no other option, he left. A few weeks later their divorce was finalized.
The encounter that changed everything
Three years passed. Philippe still lived with his parents, trying to start anew, but luck refused him. His job paid little; only minor satisfactions brightened his days.
One spring evening, while strolling, he passed a café and froze when he saw someone through the window. It was Clémance.
But she was no longer the Clémance he knew. In front of him stood a selfassured woman, hair neatly styled, wearing an elegant coat, a set of car keys in hand.
Clémance? Philippe said, surprised.
She turned, recognized him, and smiled.
Philippe? Hello! How are you?
Uh fine, he stammered, unable to look away.
And you? she asked calmly.
Looks like youre doing even better work as usual?
No, I opened my own flower studio. It was scary, but I found someone to help me.
Who?
From the café emerged a tall man in an expensive coat, wrapping his arm gently around Clémance.
My dear, a table just opened, shall we?
Philippe, meet Antoine, Clémance introduced. Were glad to see you again.
Happy for you, Philippe murmured, feeling a bitter sting of jealousy.
Thank you, Clémance replied evenly.
Antoine nodded, and they entered the café together, leaving Philippe standing on the cold sidewalk.
Once he had said, I live with a frozen bud. The bud finally blossomedjust not beside him.
