Chapter 4

Linnea had booked a large private dining room with two tables, packed with close to 30 people.

Grant was seated at the same table as Linnea's parents. He was right beside them, with Linnea on his other side.

When the hostess opened the door for me, the first thing I saw was Linnea leaning toward Grant, saying something to him in a low voice. Their faces were close, both of them smiling.

The room went quiet for a beat when I walked in.

Linnea jerked back, putting distance between herself and Grant. As if to cover for the moment, she stood and walked toward me.

"You made it."

She waved a server over and turned to me. "We were just waiting on you. Come sit."

I nodded and went over to greet her parents.

Linnea leaned in to explain. "Mom missed Grant, so she asked me to invite him."

She dropped her voice so only I could hear. "There are so many colleagues here tonight. One more person doesn't make a difference, right?"

I stepped back, away from her.

"It's your call," I said.

I was seated on Linnea's right, with Grant on her left.

The moment I turned my head, I noticed the fidget spinner he was playing with. It was a limited-edition collaboration piece I had wanted badly last year. Linnea had said she would buy it for me, but it ended up at Grant's place.

The sports kettle on the table in front of him was also one I had picked out. Same story as the spinner.

However, what I could not stop looking at was the bracelet on his wrist. It was a rosewood beaded piece from a luxury brand's museum collaboration, released for Valentine's Day the year before.

I had fallen in love with the collection the moment it was announced and had been following it since.

As it happened, the bracelet went on sale on the exact date of my second wedding anniversary with Linnea. We agreed to buy each other gifts to mark the occasion.

The one she got for me was delivered to Grant. When I asked her to get it back, she refused.

We had the worst fight of our marriage and did not speak for a month. Now the bracelet sat on Grant's wrist for the whole world to see.

The food arrived quickly.

Everyone there was either a colleague or a friend of Linnea's, and the room was loud and lively. A few drinks in, someone started egging things on.

"After all these years, Linnea and Grant still look like a married couple!"

"If it hadn't been for that misunderstanding back then, they'd have been married ages ago. They'd probably have had a couple of kids by now!"

"Linnea's never changed Grant's ringtone all this time! If that's not love, what is?"

Grant went red. He looked thrilled.

Linnea only said, "Stop spouting nonsense after just a few drinks."

However, the teasing only grew louder, and she gave in with a helpless smile. I sat there, perfectly still, my expression unchanged.

When the meal was winding down, I reached into my bag and set two copies of the divorce agreement on the table in front of Linnea, with a pen on top.

I spoke to her parents first. "I'm sorry to do this here, but I wanted to tell you in person. I'm filing for a divorce from Linnea."

Then I turned to Linnea. "I've already signed. Please sign your name.

"We can go file the divorce as soon as the courthouse opens."