"Lottie, divorce isn't a game."
He closed his eyes, then opened them again, and this time there was irritation in them.
My heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle.
So he couldn't keep up the act anymore?
I turned my face away and answered him.
"I know. That's why I never brought it up before."
"Then why bring it up today?"
I was silent for a moment, my lips tightening bit by bit.
"You really want to know?"
He gave a bitter smile. "You've already asked for a divorce. At least let me die knowing why."
He had a point.
I nodded and pulled my phone out of my pocket.
The audio was in my inbox.
I opened it, downloaded it, and hit play.
Donald's voice came out of the phone again.
"I never wanted the kid in the first place. Now that it's gone, that's just as well."
"The way she is now, she doesn't deserve to be Mrs. Henson. Asking, asking, asking every single day, like some lunatic. I really regret marrying her."
Three short sentences, and his face went white in an instant.
"I never said those things."
I curved my lips bitterly.
"Eight years together. Your voice, your tone, not even an AI could fool me."
That was why, the moment I got that recording, I was certain Donald's heart had changed.
He sank to the floor, swallowing hard, the motion heavier than before.
"Yes. Yes, I said it."
"But Lottie, that was just me venting once in a while!"
"When couples hit a rough patch, it's normal to complain to a friend. There's no need to take it all the way to divorce."
I found it laughable.
"A friend?"
"What kind of friend lets you complain to her and call your own wife a lunatic?"
"What kind of friend lets you sit there without a shred of shame and say you regret marrying me?"
Donald said nothing.
His lips were pressed tight, nearly a flat line.
It seemed he wouldn't sign today.
That was fine. There was plenty of time.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and stood to leave.
Donald came after me, doggedly, and caught my arm.
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business."
I tugged, but couldn't pull free.
"How is it none of my business? We're married!"
I laughed softly.
"Not for much longer."
That only angered him more.
He yanked my wrist, pulling me close, his eyes bearing down on me.
"It was two sentences. And you have to blow it up into all of this?"
I didn't dodge. Instead I lifted my head and looked straight into his eyes.
"This isn't me blowing it up."
"Then what is it?"
"It's me, done with you!"
Donald laughed in fury.
"Fine, fine, fine. Lottie, you've really grown a spine."
"You want a divorce? Fine, I'll give it to you!"
He stormed back, snatched the agreement off the coffee table, and signed his name without even looking at it.
Once he'd signed, he threw the pen down and flung the papers in my face.
"Get out. Get out and don't come back. Don't expect me to coax you like before."
The agreement slid off my face and onto the floor. I crouched to pick it up, and hearing his words, I laughed in mockery.
Donald, this time, I won't be coming back.
And I won't be waiting for you to coax me again, either.
