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.

“Delay is cheaper than another year of this.”

At night I returned to the house and ate simple meals.

I slept in broken stretches.

Once I woke at 2:00 a.m. out of habit and listened for the safe.

There was no sound.

The silence was so complete it felt like a person had left the room.

Margaret sent me updates in plain sentences.

No drama.