l

about us?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Do you think I can

burst into laughter. I frowned, feeling more confused t

a minute, did you actually think that I wo

t are you even saying? Isn't that what you

talking nonsense, but I was t

d. "I'm throwing you away, Alice. Don't you

mpose myself. "Don't expect me to leave," I said, my voice fir

moving closer to my husband. "I think it's time," she said, her

u both talking about? What last card?" I demanded. "And can you please s

a drawer and pulling out a document. "Not anymore," he said, his voice drip

apers. The words seemed to leap off the page, striking me like a

d, my hea

ut my husband's name for the first time since I'd entered t

nds hard and unforgiving. "Sign these papers quickly, Alice. I need t

und her like a possessive claim. I felt another fresh

voice cracking. "You know I still love yo

led, his eyes devoid of empathy. "Sign the

. With shivering hands, I picked up the pen, my signature

nature on the page, already signed and dated. The realization h

neered, his eyes glinting with hatred. "Pack your

I have no place to go and no one to turn to," I said, my voice shaking. "H

ister burst into la

on her lips. "There's nothing you can do. You'r

self. I was a housewife, dependent on Ethan for ever

ked my bags, my hands shaking as I zipped them up. Then, I took one las

ning air, I burst into tears. I di

nce college. I hailed a taxi and got in, the driver's sympathetic glance in the rearview

nown for years, I felt a sense of loss and despai

rained. After giving the door a weak knock, Naomi opened the do

o my side. She scanned my pale-looking face, swo

speak. Naomi ushered me inside, sat me down,

ut Ethan's affair, the divorce, and how he had kicked me out of our home. Naomi listened att

u can stay here with me," she said. "There's no problem at all. I'm managin

be leaving the country soon, but she was willing to let me

I said, my voice c

leasure,"

said, "You know, I really need to get out fo

I should've followed you, but I don't feel like

bar. Inside, I ordered a drink and took a sip

itting alone at the bar. He had politely declined the a

I walked up to him. "Hey, Mr stranger, do you ha

mix of surprise and amu

married?"

he r

ed, curiosity getting the better o

his hea

"Okay, that's good," I whispered, before p

t of electricity run through my body. His eyes burned wit

arried, why can't I do it now? I knew it was a foolis

about we go have sex?" My voice was husky, and

pread across his face. He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine