I sat there with that notebook in my lap and read that sentence a third time.
That didn’t sound like a man having an affair.
That didn’t sound like a man trying to steal my money.
That sounded like a man who was drowning.
I turned the page. Something slipped out from between them and fell into my lap. A small rectangle of stiff paper.
A business card.
I held it right up close to my phone and zoomed in as far as it would go.
REBECCA ALDRIDGE, LMFT. LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST. And an address on Northeast Broadway, about ten minutes from Ashton’s office.
I sat back against the couch cushions.
Rebecca wasn’t another woman.
Rebecca was a therapist.
For a few seconds, I felt something close to relief. It came up through my chest like warm water.
Then it drained away again. Because that answered one question. But it left about ten others.
Why had my husband been going to therapy for months without telling me?
Why had he been talking to a stranger about our marriage? About me?
Why had he gone to a divorce lawyer?
Why did a lawyer write my settlement into those papers?
And why, last night, after I’d asked him if he was tired of being married to me, had he packed a suitcase and hidden it under our bed?
I didn’t have any answers. But I knew one thing for certain.
I was done waiting in the dark.
I spent the rest of the afternoon setting everything up. I put the suitcase in the middle of the living room floor. I put the manila envelope on the coffee table. The divorce papers on top of it. The letter to Rebecca beside them. The notebook. The business card.
Then I sat down in the armchair across from the couch, facing the front door.
And I waited for my husband to come home.
Lila Hart is a dedicated Digital Archivist and Research Specialist with a keen eye for preserving and curating meaningful content. At TheArchivists, she specializes in organizing and managing digital archives, ensuring that valuable stories and historical moments are accessible for generations to come.
Lila earned her degree in History and Archival Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where she cultivated her passion for documenting the past and preserving cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in combining traditional archival techniques with modern digital tools, allowing her to create comprehensive and engaging collections that resonate with audiences worldwide.
At TheArchivists, Lila is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to uncover hidden gems within extensive archives. Her work is praised for its depth, authenticity, and contribution to the preservation of knowledge in the digital age.
Driven by a commitment to preserving stories that matter, Lila is passionate about exploring the intersection of history and technology. Her goal is to ensure that every piece of content she handles reflects the richness of human experiences and remains a source of inspiration for years to come.