He stood in front of me and said in a serious tone, “Then maybe… you should consider me instead.”
I froze. That wasn’t what I’d expected.
I wasn’t trying to get revenge on Magnus. I wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone. I was just tired. Tired in a way I hadn’t been when I was eighteen, dreaming of a fairytale life with him. Now, all I wanted was peace.
So I joked. “Sure. Once the divorce is final, I’ll come find you.” Then I walked away.
Not long after I got home, my phone buzzed with a message from Sven: [I’m done waiting.] I stepped out onto the balcony and looked down. His car was still there. Sven was leaning against it, smoking.
It was the first time I’d ever seen him smoke.
I’d always heard Sven came from an old military family. Strict upbringing. Cold personality. His background could rival the Fincks.
Maybe Sven sensed me watching, because he slowly lifted his head until our eyes met. He exhaled a stream of smoke, gave a faint, crooked smile… then turned, got into his car and drove away.
I stood there watching his taillights fade into the night. To my surprise, something inside me stirred…
By the time Magnus finally came home, the sky had already started to lighten.
He stepped through the door and immediately scowled, nose wrinkling.
“Evelyn, can you try acting like a decent woman for once?” he snapped. “You stink of smoke. It’s disgusting. Quit that habit. It’s not ladylike.”
