Chapter 2

The next morning, Callum brought home the signed papers and poured me coffee.

"You dropped off the pastries yesterday," He said. He handed me the warm mug. "Why didn't you come inside the room?"

"I had a terrible headache," I replied casually. "I just wanted to come home and rest."

I took a sip of the coffee. "How was the party?"

"Boring night anyway." Callum brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "You didn't miss much."

His fingers were warm.

He looked perfectly normal. He did not look like a man signing a divorce paper for a joke.

Then, I remembered the cruel laughter behind that VIP room door.

I realized something terrifying.

Tenderness and contempt can exist in the same person. He could kiss my forehead and treat me like a joke at the exact same time.

"I have to go to the office." He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Don't forget about Friday night. Our anniversary dinner. . Wear the green dress."

The dress hung in the back of our closet. I had bought it before our last anniversary, then worn it to dinner alone after his meeting ran late.

He smiled brightly. "I can't wait."

He grabbed his keys and left.

Callum never mentioned the divorce papers.

The house went completely quiet. I put my coffee mug down. I walked straight into our bedroom.

I went to my nightstand. I opened the bottom drawer. I rarely opened this one.

Inside, I found our anniversary dinner invitation. It had beautiful gold lettering.

There it was. The printed divorce agreement. He hid it right underneath the invitation.

I stared at his bold black signature on the bottom line. It was not a nightmare. It was real.

Two months ago, Caroline had explained the draft to me while I took notes in the margin.

One note read: Ask about the house.

I had never asked.

That evening, Callum had promised we would fix things. I had closed the folder and let his promise replace every question.

Caroline's number was still saved in my phone. Our last email ended with my apology for wasting her time.

I read it once before calling.

"I want to continue," I told her. "The separation."

She asked whether I had somewhere safe to stay. Then we arranged a meeting for that afternoon.

I sent her the signed draft. She said we would review it and discuss the next steps. His signature did not settle everything.

Next, I called my older sister.

"Is your spare room still available?"

"For you? Always."

Nora did not ask what I had done to upset him.

She asked whether I wanted her to come now.

"Not yet. I need a few days."

"All right. When should I get you?"

I looked at the reservation slip I had brought upstairs.

"Friday."