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After the Toasts
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On our tenth anniversary, my husband's secure work phone buzzed. "Sorry, honey. Emergency callout." He looked so anxious that I did what I had always done and let him leave without complaint. One second later, my phone recommended a viral video with more than a million likes. Derek Foster's best friend, Mason Reed, raised his glass to the camera, drunk and grinning. "First toast to me. My buddy disappeared, so I stood in as the groom. "Second toast to me. He went on a date, and I told his wife he was at tactical training. "Third toast to me. He handed me his kid to raise, and I became a dad without doing any of the work." The comments exploded. Everyone praised Mason for creating the perfect comedy account. I couldn't laugh. Mason really was raising an eight-year-old boy alone. I called him. "Where are you?" His voice was thick with sleep, but he answered, "Out grabbing barbecue with Derek." I hung up, picked up my newest Birkin, and took a selfie in front of Derek's prized whiskey wall. Then I posted: "Trading in my husband. Thirty-six, seeking two eighteen-year-olds. Ambition optional. DMs open."
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After the Toasts Chapter 8
I parked beside the river.The cold wind battered me until my breathing finally steadied.My phone rang. It was Dana Mitchell."Mrs. Foster, we have built a strong evidentiary record."We still cannot directly prove what happened on your wedding night. Too much time has passed."I was not surprised.The law required evidence.Some violations could never be fully punished in a courtroom."What we have is enough," I said. "Can I recover most of what he diverted and leave him with almost nothing?"Dana paused."You have a strong case for a heavily favorable settlement, especially because of the hidden transfers and misuse of marital assets. We also uncovered something else.""What?""Valerie appears to be collecting records of Derek's departmental misconduct. She may be building an exit strategy. Do you want us to contact her?"I considered it."Not yet."After the call, I watched muddy water move beneath the gray sky.Derek called again from a new number.This time, I an
After the Toasts Chapter 7
Mason approached me before I could approach him.He had lost weight, and dark hollows ringed his eyes. The swagger from his videos was gone."Evelyn."He gave me an awkward smile and lifted a bag of fruit."I heard you were staying here. I wanted to check on you."I walked around him and reached for my car door."Don't bother."He blocked me, suddenly desperate."I know you're angry with Derek and me, but the internet twisted everything. It wasn't what it looked like."I stopped and faced him."Mason, do you honestly think that line still matters?"His expression tightened."Valerie came to see you, didn't she?"He lowered his voice."Whatever she told you, don't believe her. She's unstable. She wants to destroy everyone around her.""I don't know whether she's unstable."I watched him carefully."I do know some people will do almost anything for money."The blood drained from Mason's face."What is that supposed to mean?""How are those unexplained deposits in your
After the Toasts Chapter 6
The attorney's investigation took time.I did not return to the house I had shared with Derek.Unable to find me, he began harassing my friends.Then he appeared outside my condo building.Through the peephole, I watched him stand there looking exhausted and unkempt, and felt nothing.A man who once controlled every emotion in me now inspired only irritation.He pounded on the door."Evelyn! I know you're in there!"Open the door. We need to talk!"Even if you want a divorce, you owe me one face-to-face conversation!"I called the police.The responding officers made him leave.From behind the locked door, I listened to his reluctant footsteps fade.At last, the hallway was quiet.A friend brought me a new SIM card.I temporarily abandoned my old number to escape Derek's constant calls.I contacted my attorney from the new phone.A few days later, she called with an initial report."Mrs. Foster, we found a pattern of payments involving Mason Reed and Valerie Pierce.
After the Toasts Chapter 5
I replied to the unknown number.We agreed to meet the next afternoon at a quiet coffee shop.A plainly dressed young woman named Hannah Brooks stood when I approached the corner table.She looked nervous and kept stirring a drink she had barely touched."Mrs. Foster?"I nodded and sat across from her. "Do you know me?""I used to work at a private maternity residence."She lowered her voice."I was assigned to Valerie Pierce after she gave birth."My heart tightened.I kept my face calm."Go on.""Mr. Foster arranged everything. He paid in cash and demanded confidentiality."Hannah hesitated."I never planned to interfere, but I saw that video online a few days ago. Then I heard what happened at the luncheon."She paused."You have a right to know."She removed a worn employee logbook from her bag and pushed it across the table.The open page contained Valerie's admission record.It listed the date, age, room number, and visitors.Derek's name appeared again and ag
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