Chapter 2
At eight in the morning on Friday, Sarah and David were waiting in line outside the city hall. There were three other couples ahead of them.
"Nervous?" David whispered.
"Not at all," Sarah replied.
"When we take the photo, try not to look too serious," David said.
Sarah looked at him. "You want me to smile in a divorce photo?"
"Come on, it's a fake divorce," David grinned. "We'll get back together in a month, so what's the big deal?"
"Yeah,"
When it was their turn, the staff member looked over their documents. "Are you both doing this of your own free will?"
"Yes," David answered.
"Yes," Sarah said.
"Is the property division agreement clear?" the staff member asked.
"Yes," David replied.
Sarah glanced at the agreement: the house goes to David, whatever's in our own accounts stays with us, and there are no debt issues. Sarah signed her name.
"There's a 30-day cooling-off period," the staff member said, stamping the papers. "Come back in a month, or it'll be automatically canceled."
"Got it," they replied.
As they stepped out of the city hall, David let out a long sigh of relief. "Finally, that's it."
"Yeah,"
"Want to grab dinner tonight? My treat, let's celebrate," David suggested.
Sarah looked at him. "We're really celebrating a divorce?"
"Come on, you know what I mean," David said with a grin, reaching for her hand. "Come on, let's head out, I already booked your favorite foreign restaurant."
"Not tonight," Sarah said, pulling her hand away. "I've got plans with Mia."
"Mia again?" David frowned. "You've been hanging out with her a lot lately."
"She's my best friend," Sarah replied.
"Alright," David said, glancing at his watch. "I'm heading to the office. I'll try to get home early tonight."
"Okay," Sarah replied.
David took a few steps, then turned back. "Oh, by the way, things are going to be pretty hectic for me these days, so I'll probably be home late."
"Busy with what?" Sarah asked.
"Work stuff," David said quickly. "I might have to go on a few business trips."
Sarah shot him a look. "Where exactly?"
"San Jose," David replied.
"When's that?" Sarah pressed.
"Next week," David said, looking at her. "What's wrong? You don't trust me?"
"No," Sarah said, looking away. "Go ahead."
David walked away.
Sarah stood there, pulled out her phone, and called Mia. She asked, "Did you get it done?"
"Yeah,"
"Want to come over now?" Mia asked.
"I'll be there in a minute," Sarah said.
Mia lived in an apartment close to her office, and it took Sarah about twenty minutes to get there by taxi.
"You actually went through with it?" Mia asked, handing her a glass of water. "Sarah, are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy," Sarah said as she sat down. "Mia, can you help me check someone out?"
"Who is it?" Mia asked.
"Vivian Lane," Sarah said.
Mia was stunned. "Wait, how do you even know that name?"
"You know her?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah," Mia replied, sliding into the seat across from her. "Vivian was David's first love. Seriously, you didn't know?"
Sarah's fingers tightened around her glass. "I don't know."
"He never tells you?" Mia asked.
"No," Sarah said, looking at her. "How do you know Vivian?"
"I heard about it at a college reunion," Mia said, frowning. "Vivian goes abroad in her junior year, I heard she moves to Borealia. Why are you asking?"
"Last night, I saw David's phone," Sarah said quietly. "He's been messaging someone in his contacts as 'Vivian' nonstop."
Mia's face changed. "Did you see what they were talking about?"
"No", he walked in before I had the chance.
"Sarah," Mia said, squeezing her hand. "Don't freak out. I'll help you look into it."
"Okay," Sarah replied.
Mia pulled out her phone, opened Twitter, and searched for a bit.
"Got it," Mia said, handing her the phone. "Check this out."
On the screen was a Twitter account, with a profile picture showing the back of a girl.
Username: Vivian Lane
The latest tweet was from three days ago: [Finally back home. I've missed the taste of my hometown so much.]
The post was accompanied by a photo of the airport.
Sarah opened the photo album and scrolled through a few pictures.
One of them showed Vivian and David standing together, both looking really happy.
The photo was posted last October.
"Last year?" Sarah looked up at Mia. "She came back last year?"
"Looks like it," Mia said, leaning in. "Does David know?"
"Of course he does," Sarah said, setting her phone down. "Why else would he suddenly suggest a fake divorce?"
"So you're saying..." Mia trailed off.
"That house he wants to buy isn't for us," Sarah said, her voice steady. "It's for Vivian."
Mia sucked in a breath. "Do you have any proof?"
"Not yet," Sarah said, getting to her feet. "But I will."
"So what are you going to do?" Mia asked.
Sarah turned to gaze out the window, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Mia, can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?" Mia replied.
"Can you help me open a new bank account?" Sarah said.