"You don’t have training today?" she asked softly. "Go on, get busy."
Then she wrapped her arms around me, her voice full of affection.
"Are you planning a surprise for me?"
I froze.
She giggled and reached up to tap my nose.
"I saw the new necklace you bought!"
"You’re always trying to hide things, but you forget—I can see right through you. You’re like glass to me, you know that?"
She leaned in again, her voice turning gentle.
"It’s almost your parents’ death anniversary. Let’s go burn paper together. Tell them the good news about our marriage, alright? We’ll hold a family dinner. Doreen hasn’t come home in so long."
I smiled faintly but said nothing.
She twirled in my arms, laughing.
For the past five years, she had been arranging these so-called reunions—telling me they were to help mend things between me and Doreen.
I used to believe it was love.
Now I know better.
It was all a cover.
An excuse to see Karl again.
This five-year deception—it ends now.
As soon as she stepped out, I left home.
I went to the law firm and had the divorce papers printed.
I canceled all my documents.
The case file had already been taken away by Caroline.