Chapter 4

“Honey, great news! The new boss shot down my promotion, but a VP spot just opened up in another department! This time it’s a sure thing!”

Brodie came home, looking exhilarated, as if he had already taken the VP seat.

I was feeding Rosalind and Jeremy. Faintly, I murmured, “Hmm…”

His smile faltered for a moment. Then, it was back, brighter than before.

He leaned in close and lowered his voice. He sounded like a man who already knew he had won.

“Honey, to land this position, I need to get out there and prove myself fast! I happen to have a business trip to a neighboring city to check out a new project. I’ll be back in three days! This is huge for me!”

His eyes darted around. He did not dare look at me when he brought up the “business trip,” as if he was hiding a secret.

I paused and looked at him calmly.

He must have felt guilty, because when I looked at him, he quickly added, “Elowen, don’t read too much into this. I’m doing this for us too! Once I get promoted, everything will get better!”

“Is that so? Well, congratulations!” I said calmly with a gentle smile.

“Your promotion is what matters right now. I’m with you all the way.”

He was stunned. He had not expected me to take it so well.

Then, he sighed, and all the tension drained from his face.

He took my hand and looked at me in gratitude. “Honey, you really are the perfect wife! When I get back from this trip, with the promotion and the raise, I’m going to make it up to you!”

I smiled and straightened his collar. “Sure. Let me help you pack.”

I went to the bedroom and dug a suitcase out from the very back of the closet.

With a flick of my finger, a tiny GPS tracker slipped silently into the lining.

He was off with Winnie to her prenatal checkup and to squeeze in a look at their little love nest on the side.

What a worthwhile business trip!

The night before Brodie’s “business trip,” I made a table full of his favorite food for dinner: meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I also made creamy pumpkin soup for Rosalind and Jeremy.

At the dinner table, he drank some wine and was in high spirits. He grabbed my hand as he painted a picture of the future.

“Honey, you’ve worked so hard these past ten years! Once I make VP, we’re upgrading to a bigger house. We’ll hire a nanny to take care of Mom and Dad! You can buy whatever you want!”

I watched him with pity as he performed his final one-man show. It was like someone watching a death row inmate eat his last meal.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “You really do owe me.”

My phone buzzed softly.

It was the bank. The last of our accounts had been drained. Every liquid asset was gone.

Aside from our current apartment under his name, all that was left was a never-ending mortgage and a mountain of debt.

“Alright, I’m heading out, honey! Wait for my good news!”

He energetically dragged his suitcase out the door. He did not look back even once.

I did not follow him to the door like I always used to. There were no more last-minute reminders.

In the living room, the TV droned on, mixed with the sound of Rosalind and Jeremy coughing.

I took my time untying the apron I had worn for ten years. It was stained with grease.

I tossed it into the trash without a second glance.

Then, I took out the printed divorce agreement from the study.

Beside it sat a thick stack of papers. There were printouts of his chats with Winnie and a pile of hotel receipts.

It also held a screenshot I had just taken off the GPS tracker. It showed the two of them walking into the OB/GYN hand in hand.

I then made a call.

“Is this the moving company? You can come up now.

“Move out those two paralyzed old folks and all their belongings.

“The address is Apartment 1302, 4820 Ridgeline Drive.”

The person on the other end was stunned. “Ma’am, are you sure? The owner on record at that address is Wi—”

“Yes. That’s her,” I cut him off as I smiled.

“Tell her her future in-laws have moved in early so she can see what she’s signing up for.”

Brodie wanted to pursue his true love and have his own child. I would grant him just that.

Those parents he had cared so much about were on their way to his mistress’ place.

I wanted to wish her good luck dealing with that.