Chapter 3
I arrived at the law office at eight fifty.
The receptionist handed me a form. I filled in my name and contact information, then paused at the emergency contact field.
I wrote down my sister’s number.
At nine, Morgan, the attorney, invited me into her office.
“What would you like help with?” She set down her pen and waited.
“A divorce.” I placed my document folder on the desk. “I’d like you to handle communication with my husband. I don’t want to speak to him directly anymore.”
She nodded.
“Tell me what happened.”
I took out the photos of the card and necklace. I started with his call on our anniversary, then told her about Vivian.
After reviewing the photos, Morgan asked how long we’d been married, where we lived, and what we each earned.
“I’m a freelance designer. I have my own clients.” I sat a little straighter. “I’m staying with my sister for now.”
She took notes, then asked what financial records I had access to.
I answered what I could and made a list of what I needed to find.
Finally, I handed her the pregnancy report.
“Nine weeks. He doesn’t know yet.”
Morgan looked up, her gaze resting on my face for a moment.
“We’ll need to take this into account, too.” She set the report down carefully. “Tell me what you’re concerned about.”
I slowly loosened my grip on the pen.
“I don’t want to move back in just to hear his explanation. And I don’t want to rush into signing anything I don’t fully understand.”
“Then we’ll take this one step at a time.” She turned the document checklist toward me. “We get the information first. Then you make your decisions.”
It was nearly eleven when we finished.
I confirmed the scope of her representation, signed the paperwork, and left her my husband’s contact information.
Outside, my phone lit up.
Vivian.
I didn’t open the message. I put my phone away and bought lunch at a café on the corner.
Several people were working on laptops. I chose a table by the window, ate, and answered a client’s email.
At one, I returned to my sister’s place.
She’d cleared the guest room desk for me and replaced the lamp with a brighter one.
I sat down and opened my design files.
It took me three tries to correct one dimension.
I got up for water, then came back and checked everything from the beginning. I wasn’t going to send out work I hadn’t reviewed.
A little after four, Morgan called.
“I’ve spoken with your husband,” she said evenly. “He’s asking to meet with you first. He says there’s been a misunderstanding and wants us to hold off on moving forward.”
I took my hand off the mouse.
“Did he mention Vivian?”
“He didn’t give specifics. He said he wants to explain in person.”
I looked at the document folder beside me.
I didn’t need him to read the words happy third anniversary aloud.
“Please proceed,” I said. “I won’t be meeting with him.”
“Understood. I’ll email you anything that needs your approval.”
After we hung up, I finished checking the designs and sent them to my client on time.
When my sister came home that evening, she found me washing vegetables and took the colander from my hands.
“How did it go today?”
“I hired her. She’s already contacted him.”
My sister nodded. She didn’t ask how he’d reacted.
She just asked me to get two plates.
Over dinner, she told me about a new coworker. I listened and asked a few questions, realizing how long it had been since I’d paid real attention to her life.
At eight, the doorbell rang.
My sister went to the door and checked the video feed. Her finger stopped over the talk button.
I put down my glass and joined her.
My husband stood outside, his jacket draped over one arm, a shopping bag in his other hand.
A familiar blue gift box peeked out of the top.
My sister turned to me.
I shook my head.
She pressed the button.
“She doesn’t want to see you. Please contact her attorney.”
He leaned toward the camera, his brow furrowed.
“I know she’s there. Ask her to come out. She can at least hear me out.”
My sister stayed where she was.
He glanced down at the bag, then lifted it.
“I brought the necklace.”
I stared at the screen.
He still thought that necklace could fix this.
But I hadn’t left because he forgot to buy me a gift.