It was the first picture I gave him without wanting him to understand how much pain he’d caused.

It belonged to her, not to our argument.

PART 17

The divorce process became public enough that acquaintances began calling.

I learned quickly that people were far more eager to discuss a scandal than to carry groceries or watch a sleeping baby.

A woman from our old social circle asked whether Bianca had really worn my robe.

Another wondered whether the company’s troubles meant we would have to sell the house.

A third implied that a capable wife should have noticed sooner when her husband was unhappy.