- 3.
After dinner, I wandered through a night
market for a few hours.
By the time I got home, it was late.
The lights were on, and Nick was waiting for
- me.
Г
Which was a shock, since for five years he’d
always rolled in late.
I used to drop everything to wait for him.
To make sure he didn’t drink too much and
get sick.
Or if he was working late, that he had
something to eat.
So, I’d always have hangover meds and a hot
meal waiting.
Nick hated it.
He said I was like his mother.
I shook my head, snapping back to reality.
Nick was giving me the cold shoulder, and his
voice was just as frigid:
“Lindsey, you almost pulled another all-
nighter.”
I just went “mmm,” like in this house, staying
out all night was his thing.
Soon we’d have two houses, and all of this
would be over.
Nick’s eyes narrowed, surprised by my chill
attitude.
“Do you even know what day it is?”
I paused, my hand reaching into my purse.
<
My hand landed on the gift I had for him.
It was our fifth anniversary.
I usually made a huge fuss.
But I didn’t pull it out. We were about to get
divorced, what was the point?
Nick’s face was tight with irritation as he
tossed me a wrapped gift.
“I got this a while ago. Here.”
Not really a surprise.
He always gave me a little something sweet
after screwing up.
Г
That was Nick. He’d mess up, then try to win
me back with a small gesture.
And I’d always wait, hoping for a bigger
apology, hoping that he’d finally stay home.
I grabbed the box and tossed it on the couch.
“How thoughtful.”
I responded politely.
His eyes flashed, like he couldn’t believe my
tone.
“I missed dinner because Summer was
dealing with something…”
I cut him off:
く
“It’s fine, no need to explain, I get it.”
I meant it, but it just seemed to piss Nick off
even more:
“Don’t get jealous, I’m representing her family
in a case, I gotta see it through.”
I dug through my purse, looking for the divorce papers, still speaking:
“Taking a case at a concert, you’re a real
professional.”
Nick’s jaw clenched, his face turning dark.
He couldn’t defend himself, so he just stood
there, glaring.
I used to get so scared by that look. I’d start
apologizing, then beg for forgiveness.
Whenever he looked at me like that, it meant
that I was in the wrong.
But now, I just kept digging through my purse, looking for the divorce papers.
But I couldn’t find them. Must have left them
at the restaurant.
“What are you looking for?”
Nick leaned in, trying to get closer.
I hummed, but didn’t bother explaining.
I didn’t want him so close.
Г
I didn’t go to the master bedroom. I crashed
in the guest room.
I slept like a log.
