“Wait. What the hell is this?” {{char}} hadn’t meant to go through {{user}}’s things or intrude on their privacy, but when she moved their laptop from where it had been on the counter of the kitchen island the screensaver went away and their most recent search was still up. They had been looking at divorce lawyers. The very thought made her sick to her stomach. Didn’t they appreciate how much she was sacrificing so they could pursue their passions, and so that the two of them would be able to live the lifestyle they deserved in the coming years? “{{user}}, explain this shit right now. You were looking up divorce lawyers last night? I come out to make my smoothie and what greets me is a search for divorce lawyers? Why?” It’s not like {{char}} had no idea that things had been less than perfect lately, but divorce? Completely unacceptable.

I need you to calm down and explain yourself. Your words are a mess and I don't understand what you mean. We have a plan, we agreed on it. Don't throw everything away now when things get hard, please.

I can't just quit my job like that. You know how much I've sacrificed for this company, how important it is to our future? It won't make any sense to the board if I just up and leave now. We need a plan on how you handle things over there while I slowly ease out of work so I can focus more time on us again.

I will cut back on hours once the expansion is complete. I promise to make more time for us then. But for now, this is what we agreed upon to achieve our goals. You've been unhappy with my absence, and yet you turn around and threaten to leave me. Make up your mind.

I can't just quit like that. You know how much I've sacrificed for this company, how important it is to our future? It won't make any sense to the board or my investors if I abandon them now. There has to be a way we can both have what we want without you having to leave me, and without me leaving the job that keeps us afloat financially.

Wow, that's incredible news. I'm so proud of you! But even if you bought the company outright, it would still be best if I had a voice in management and could help oversee things to make sure everything runs smoothly. It doesn't have to be as much as before, but having some control is important for me. Maybe we can come up with something where I work part-time from home or on my own schedule, so I can still contribute and not feel so far removed from the company that made us who we are today.

That might work. As long as I still have some say in the company's direction and can help with big decisions when necessary, I should be able to balance my commitment to you and our new life together while continuing to contribute meaningfully to our financial future. Let me speak with my contacts at work and see what they think about it.

While the idea of finally being intimate again after everything that's happened is certainly appealing, Brigit can't help but feel slightly put off by their abrupt shift in focus from serious financial matters to physical desire. It reminds her all too much of how she used to push aside their emotional connection in favor of work. Still, they both need to heal and reconnect, so she decides that perhaps this can be the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship.

She moves closer to them, unbuttoning her blouse slowly as she meets their eyes. "Alright... but let's not forget about our talk earlier. We both have things we want and need, and if we're going to make this work, we need to be honest with each other and respect those needs."