Chapter 4

I took the phone the nurse handed me and dialed Finn's number.

The first call was hung up on immediately. Then the second. The third. The fourth…

It wasn't until the ninth call that someone finally answered.

"Who's this?"

Lisa's sultry voice came through, low and breathless, as if she'd just been pulled from bed.

The words I'd meant to say froze in my throat.

I dug my nails into my palm, forcing myself to steady my voice.

"This is Heather. I'm looking for Finn."

For a moment, there was silence on the other end. Then her tone softened into something coy.

"Oh, it's you, Heather. Finn's in the shower—worked up a sweat just now. Probably not the best time.

"Why don't you just tell me what you need? That way you won't have to call again. We're only taking a short break… we'll be busy again soon."

I lowered my head, blinking away the sting in my eyes.

"That won't be necessary."

I ended the call.

The nurse was still standing there, waiting for an answer.

What was I supposed to say? That my husband wasn't coming because he was too busy sleeping with the woman he once called the love of his life?

Maybe she sensed my hesitation, because she quietly offered to cover the hospital fee for me.

I thanked her, but the gratitude only deepened the ache inside.

I was twenty-eight, already a mother—and when things fell apart, the person who helped me wasn't my husband, or my child, but a stranger with kind eyes.

If marriage was an exam, I hadn't even passed.

Fifteen days left until the divorce was finalized. I was discharged that morning.

It happened to be my son's birthday, but I didn't want to go home. I found a small restaurant instead, sat down, and ordered something simple.

And then, just as the food arrived, I saw them.

They looked like a family of three walking in through the door—Lisa holding Finn's arm, Michael's hand in hers, smiling like a woman who had everything.

Someone nearby greeted them with a grin.

"So this is your wife, Finn? Finally meeting her in person—she's just as beautiful as they say. No wonder you keep her hidden away."

His voice carried, drawing attention from every corner of the restaurant.

Finn hesitated, about to say something, but before he could, Michael piped up, "Dad, Mom's shy!"

He wasn't loud, but the words hit me with perfect precision.

I looked at his face—his bright, carefree smile—and it hit me that he'd grown up.

He wasn't the soft, tender baby I once held in my arms. He'd become like a knife that stabbed at me constantly.

It was fine. I didn't want him anymore.

A sudden chorus of teasing broke through my thoughts.

"Come on, kiss her! Kiss her!"

Even my son clapped his hands, laughing.

"Dad, don't be scared! Just kiss her already!"

Lisa gave him a playful scold, then turned to Finn with a look full of shy expectation.

He hesitated, his face uncertain.

When she finally wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, his eyes met mine across the restaurant.

…

"Heather?"

Panic flickered through his face as he shoved Lisa aside and stumbled for words.

"They were just joking around. What are you doing here?"

Following his gaze, others turned and saw me too.

Michael's smile vanished. He took two hesitant steps toward me, then stopped, looked away, and stood frozen in place.

I let out a quiet sigh.

"I just got out of the hospital," I said. "Came to get something to eat. You can… carry on."