As the sound of his car faded into the night, I grabbed a pair of scissors and viciously shredded the wedding dress without a second thought. 

At one-thirty in the morning, while I was packing up my belongings, a text from Lucian buzzed in: [Out drinking.]

After eight years together, it was uncommon for him to voluntarily share his whereabouts with me. 

As I glanced at the cleaning gloves on my hands, I chose not to respond. Once I finished tidying up, I took a long, hot shower and slipped into bed. 

The next day, when Lucian returned home, I was on my way out to take the trash. His gaze felt peculiar as he studied me.

“Is your phone broken?” He asked, furrowing his brow instinctively when I shook my head. I knew what he was getting at. 

In the past, whenever he stayed out late, I would bombard him with calls and texts. 

But last night, his phone had been eerily silent. Just as I was about to step outside, Lucian inquired, “Savannah, where did our photo on the wall go?”

I looked at the garbage bag, poised to reveal the truth, when his phone buzzed. 

Pushing past me, he hit the voice message button, saying, “Don’t worry, kiddo; I’ll get it to you as soon as it’s ready,” as he walked inside.