Chapter 3

On the third night, I was in the kitchen, washing dishes.

In the living room, Mark and Sophie were on the couch watching TV. The babies were asleep, and his mother had already left.

"Mark, when is Nora moving out?" Sophie's voice floated over. "She's always just wandering around the house, and honestly, it's so annoying to even look at her."

"Soon, soon. Don't worry," Mark said. "You don't really know her—she's super easy to fool. Just coax her a bit and she'll get over it."

"Are you serious?" Sophie asked.

"Let me tell you, Nora is naive to a fault. When I pushed her to take that fellowship, she actually thanked me for backing her career. Gone for an entire year, cut our video calls short after two minutes, and she never suspected a single thing."

Sophie chuckled. "Then she really is a fool."

"Right?" Mark smirked, a distinct smugness in his tone. "Once she cools off for a couple of days, I'll sweet-talk her and this will all blow over. She's crazy about me—what else can she do?"

I stood still in the kitchen, the bowl still in my hand.

Hot water washed over the edge of the bowl, scalding my fingers with a sharp sting.

I set the bowl in the dish rack, dried my hands, and walked out of the kitchen.

"Mark," I called out.

They both turned around, their expressions shifting in an instant.

"Nora, you... did you hear that?" Mark stammered.

I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, I heard."

He stood up and came toward me. "Nora, I didn't mean it that way. I was just running my mouth..."

"You're right," I cut him off.

He was stunned. "What?"

"You said I was easy to fool, and you were right," I said calmly. "I really was that naive. In our three years of marriage, I paid for the down payment and the renovations while you didn't spend a single cent, and yet I still believed you were just going through hard times."

"Nora" Mark's voice shook.

"But that's not the case anymore," I said. "You've taught me a lesson."

"What?" he asked.

I met his gaze and let out a faint smile.

"Now it's time for me to play you," I said.

I turned and walked into the guest room, locking the door behind me.

Leaning against the door, I heard Sophie ask, "Mark, what did she mean by that?"

Mark didn't say a word.

I pulled out my phone and called Emily.

"Emily, I've got everything on the list. Let's get the lawyer's letter ready for tomorrow," I said.

"Got it," Emily replied. "Nora, don't worry. I'll fight this case for you all the way."

"Thanks," I said.

"Don't mention it," Emily laughed. "We go way back to our college days, and I've hated Mark's guts for years. I've finally lived to see this day."

I hung up and lay down on the bed.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, falling softly on the suitcase I hadn't even bothered to unpack.

The watch was still inside.

It was supposed to be a gift for him, but now it was completely pointless.