Part 2/9:
Ethan narrates his marriage to Julia with palpable frustration. Three weeks prior, Julia made it clear she would unilaterally decide when they spent time together, treating him like a pet rather than a partner. Deciding to retreat emotionally rather than physically, Ethan adopted a ghost-like existence in his marriage—limiting communication, avoiding emotional engagement, and becoming less present.
Her eventual confrontation reveals her suspicion: Julia notices his distant behavior and questions Nate, Ethan’s close friend, about his odd demeanor. Ethan recognizes her spying—Nate’s been recruited as her informant. She perceives his silence and withdrawal as alarming, increasingly treating him as a suspect in an affair.