He closed the door sharply. I saw his shoes approach the woman’s. Her voice softened:

“Are you really doing this tonight? What if she’s already suspicious?”

Daniel let out a tired sigh I’d never heard from him.

“Everything’s arranged. I just need her signature tomorrow. After that, we’ll go our separate ways… and my family will stop pressuring me.”

Each word stabbed deeper.

My husband—the man I had just vowed my life to—was already planning our separation? Because of some family agreement?

The woman murmured,