Chapter 3

Owen stopped in the bedroom doorway when he saw my suitcase on the bed.

It was late the following afternoon. I'd packed my clothes and toiletries, and Hannah was coming to help me take them over. My books and baking equipment would have to wait until I had room for them.

"You're still going through with this?"

I folded a sweater and laid it in the case.

"Hannah will be here soon."

He came closer. "Nora, we barely talked last night."

"I told you last night. I'm moving out."

"I thought you'd feel differently this morning."

"Why?"

"Because we don't have to end our marriage over a dance."

I'd told him I wanted a divorce, and he'd told me to get some sleep. Now he was waiting for me to say I'd overreacted.

He reached for me, his hands settling on my arms.

"Come here."

I used to lean into him before we'd finished an argument. Once he held me, it was easier to believe the things he promised.

I stepped aside to get my wash bag from the dresser. His hands fell away.

He watched me tuck it into the suitcase.

"You won't even let me hold you?"

"I need to finish packing."

He sat on the edge of the bed, beside the open case.

"If you wanted more time together, you could've said something."

I looked at him. "I did. You said Paige needed you."

"She's had a difficult time. You know that."

I reached for the lid. He got up, but stayed close while I zipped it shut.

His phone rang. Paige's name appeared on the screen.

He silenced it.

"Don't worry about her. We're talking."

I lifted the suitcase off the bed. He took the handle from me and set it down again.

"Leave that for a minute."

The phone rang a second time.

Owen looked at it, then at me. "Let me answer this."

He stepped into the hall, though I could still hear him.

"I haven't left yet... I know. Give me a minute."

When he came back, I was putting my laptop into my bag.

"They're waiting for me. Paige told everyone I'd be there."

He stood beside the bed, phone in hand.

"Do you mind if I go for a little while?"

"Go ahead."

"You could come with me."

"Hannah's on her way."

He glanced at the suitcase again. "You can see her tomorrow."

"She's coming to help me move, Owen."

He rubbed a hand over his face.

"All right. I know you're angry. I'll go and say hello, then come straight back. We can have the evening to ourselves."

I put the laptop bag over my shoulder.

"I'm leaving when she gets here."

"Nora, please. Just wait until I get back."

He stayed in the doorway, looking at me. Then his phone buzzed again.

"I won't be long," he said.

From the bedroom window, I watched him get into his car. He checked his phone before pulling away.

He kept promising to come home early, as though I were still waiting for an evening he'd spend with me.

When Hannah arrived, I carried the suitcase downstairs.

"Is this everything?" she asked.

"For today."

She took my laptop bag, and we loaded the car together. I locked the front door and went with her.

At Hannah's, I hung my clothes in the closet while she cleared a shelf in the bathroom for me. We were deciding what to have for dinner when my lawyer called to confirm she could contact Owen.

"Yes," I said. "I've told him, and I've moved out."

A little later, his name lit up my screen.

"What's this email?" he asked as soon as I answered. I could hear music and people talking behind him. "You've actually hired someone?"

"We talked about this last night."

"Tell her to hold off. I'm coming home."

"I'm at my new place."

The voices in the background grew quieter.

"You've left?"

"Yes."

"But I asked you to wait."

"Hannah came when we'd arranged."

"Where are you? I'll come and get you. We need to talk at home."

"I'm staying here, Owen."

"Just give me the address."

Paige's voice came through clearly.

"Where are you going? We've barely started."

"I need to get Nora."

"Why?"

"She's moved out."

"Then let her."

"Paige, give me a minute. Nora, are you still there?"

Before I could answer, Paige spoke again.

"Owen, you promised me you'd divorce her once you were well. She's leaving. Why are you trying to stop her?"