"There's no marriage registration on file in the civil records system. But there is a divorce record. Two years ago, David forged your signature and filed for an uncontested divorce."
"Ellie, you two aren't husband and wife anymore."
The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor. A crack split across the screen.
Corinne's face flashed behind my eyes. The way she'd frozen when I threatened her with refusing to sign, and then that scoff. That knowing, contemptuous scoff.
She'd known all along.
She knew David had forged the divorce papers for her. She knew he'd been willing to dissolve our marriage just to be with her.
She'd been laughing at my audacity. Laughing at me, a housewife who thought a marriage certificate was enough to hold David, with no real power to fight back.
I was a clown, dancing around in someone else's marriage.
Convinced I could win, while everyone else watched and laughed.
The next morning, David got up at seven as usual, knotted his tie, and ate the breakfast I'd made.
"I might have a business dinner tonight. Don't wait up for me."
"Okay."
He walked to the door, pulled me into his arms, and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.