n and began preparing breakfast, my movements practiced and automatic. For five years, I had been the perfect daughter-in-law, anticipating

was already awake, sitting propped up against

I said, setting th

last night. Your behavior was unacceptable. You e

ruth," I said calml

" she snapped. "Your job is to suppo

held. I straightened up, my hands clasped in front of me.

rrowed. "What are

e from Richard," I stated,

rm a coherent sentence. "Divorce? Don' t be ridiculous! A Vance does not divo

id simply.

-bedroom. He was standing by the window, already dressed, staring out at th

ht, Eleanor?" he demand

o the closet. "I thought I was ju

olding them neatly and placing them on the bed

are you

said, not looking at him. "I think it'

sing. "We don' t need space. We need you to stop

e man I had loved, or thought I loved, had been a fantasy. The real man was standing in front of me, a stranger

er once considered my feelings, my perspective. In his world, h

tand," he said,

that was the saddest part

lked past him, he reached out and grabbed my arm

at his face. There was no warmth in his touch, onl

ld as ice. "The divorce papers will be on your desk by th

morning light. In the guest room, the air was still and cool. I set down my clothes an

like the end of my world. Now, as my pen moved across the paper, I felt a profound sense of peace. I

nother woman. I remembered the miscarriage, how he' d held my hand for five minutes before leaving to take a call f

loved me. He had married me for convenience, for the respectable image I provided. My family name, though

ve both. And in doing

ag

hat would be my only name again. The thought was liberating. I folded the paper, plac