Gertrude clicked her tongue.

“You should have dealt with it months ago.

She’ll sign anything when you tell her it’s for the business.”

I had heard enough, but I couldn’t make myself move.

Eleven years of marriage had trained me to recognize his footsteps, his laugh, the tired sigh he made before turning out a light.

I had never imagined those familiar sounds could make my own home feel unsafe.

I took out my phone and recorded the remaining conversation from the landing.