I left the hospital carrying my daughter’s ashes when my husband finally called from wherever he was with his mistress and coldly said, “The bill has been taken care of. Stop bothering me.” I didn’t argue with him. I didn’t allow him to hear my voice break.

For several seconds, he said nothing at all.

Then his face drained of color, leaving him looking thoroughly shaken.

“No,” Brendan stammered, shaking his head.

“Ximena told me it was just a routine hospital visit.

She said you were exaggerating again.”

I reached into my bag and placed the official divorce petition on Chloe’s mattress.