Chapter 1

Harry Newman posted a photo on social media. A woman with a slightly rounded belly had her arms around him, captioned: [The two most important treasures in the world are right here in my arms.]

If it were me before, I would have stormed over in a frenzy.

But now, I just calmly tapped "Like."

And left a comment: [Cheers to your happy ending.]

*****

Right after I posted the comment, Harry Newman's call came in.

"Dorothy, what the hell do you mean by that?" Harry demanded.

I replied, deadpan, "Guess you're so hyped about being a dad that you've lost the ability to read or even understand plain language."

"Dorothy, what the hell are you talking about?" Harry snapped.

"Like I said, it was just a joke! She's my most important partner right now! Why can't you just trust me?" he protested.

I let out a quiet breath. "Partners don't get that intimate. You know exactly what's going on between you two. I'm exhausted. I don't want to get dragged into your mess anymore, and I don't want to keep loving you either."

Silence stretched across the line before Harry finally responded.

"Dorothy, you're not capable of leaving me," he said. "We've been together since high school. We've survived every storm and shared every good moment. You're not over us."

Then he added casually, "And be honest, after years as a housewife, where would you go if we split? Do you really think your parents would let a man like me slip away?"

His confidence was infuriating. In that moment, I finally understood how foolish I'd been and how completely I had lost myself trying to hold onto him.

The man I once loved no longer existed. In his place stood a calculating, self-centered stranger.

Whatever feelings I had left were crushed beyond recovery.

"You don't have the right to talk about our past," I replied flatly. "The divorce papers are already signed. Let's end it here."

I hung up without waiting for a reply.

I had witnessed every stage of Harry's life, from a boy in a school uniform to the groom standing beside me in a tailored suit.

We once promised forever on a snowy mountain peak. But promises, it turned out, were powerless against reality.

After the call, I began packing.

The house had been our first big achievement together.

When we moved in, Harry had lifted me into his arms, laughing like a child. "Dorothy, we finally have a home."

"We'll always be together," he had promised. "I'll give you the best life."

Back then, Harry's face was lit up with joy, his eyes full of love for me.

Now, remembering that moment only made my chest ache.

The house was overflowing with memories.

After marriage, I slowly gave up my career so he could pursue his without distraction.

I couldn't recall when he changed but he did.

I shook my head, exhaled, and forced myself to stop reminiscing. It was time to leave.

I gathered every photograph of us and fed them into the shredder. Watching them disintegrate brought no sorrow, only relief.

Then I burned every letter he had ever written me. The paper curled, blackened, glowed, and finally crumbled into ash.

Once I'd destroyed every last thing that reminded me of Harry, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door.

I relocated to a quiet town and rented a small garden cottage. I filled my days with flowers and sunlight.

The weather was perfect; sunshine was gentle, and everything felt so warm and inviting.

I kicked back in a rocking chair out in the yard, scrolling through my phone as I rocked lazily. I was so relaxed I nearly drifted off, and couldn't help but think about all the time I'd wasted on Harry, and how many good years I'd let slip away.

Harry's messages suddenly popped up on my phone. [Dorothy, where the hell are you? I'm warning you, quit these little games! Get back here, now!]

I frowned, feeling like someone just dumped a pile of crap in my lap. All that good mood instantly turned sour.

I snapped: [So, the divorce papers are done? You want me to come back just to divvy up the money?]

Harry scoffed: [Dorothy! Pulling a disappearing act at your age?]

He threatened: [I'm giving you a chance to make this easy, so don't be stupid. If you mess this up, you'll be the one regretting it.]

His arrogant tone made me uncomfortable.