At 2:00 a.m., My Husband Thought I Was Asleep While He Emptied Our Safe to Run Off With His Mistress. Before Leaving, He Kissed Me and Whispered, “Poor Audrey. You Never Saw This Coming.” Hours Later He Sent a Photo From the Airport. I Replied With Four Words That Made Him Call Me Immediately.

I smiled as I closed the empty velvet case one last time and put it in a drawer I did not plan to open often.

Daniel had wanted me to wake up with nothing.

Instead, that morning was the first time in nine years I actually woke up.

And I stayed awake.