Chapter 6

The next morning, I brewed coffee for Julian just as I usually did.

It wasn't because I still wanted to take care of him, but because my body was slower than my heart to accept that our marriage had changed.

Movements repeated tens of thousands of times over five years don't vanish instantly because of a single text message.

Julian walked into the kitchen and hugged me from behind.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

I stared at the dark liquid dripping inside the coffee machine.

"It was fine."

"I might be back a bit late tonight," he said. "There's…