Then Mark’s affection began to change. At first, it was only the occasional call during working hours or a message asking when she would be free. Soon he wanted to know where she was, who she was with, and why she hadn’t replied immediately. If she stayed late to finish a pitch, he accused her of caring more about work than their relationship.
Noemi kept telling herself that Mark was insecure and that she could help him feel safe. She was good at solving problems, after all. But the demands kept growing. She began leaving meetings to answer his calls, skipping brainstorming sessions to meet him at lunch, and staying awake until two in the morning to finish work she had abandoned during the day.