d a price. Ten years of my life as a political spouse to a Lopez meant I was entitled to a significant portion of the ma

y cooling-off period. A thirty-da

ty days for you to come to your senses, Alex.

ded, "You'll be begging to come back in a we

of pain washed over me, the casual cruelty from my own

ack," I said, my

." She stepped closer, her expensive perfume filling the air. It was the

her voice dropping to a low, thr

buzzed. Her expression instantl

done here... Of course, darling. Ch

ncle Gio is taking us to that new Mich

't want to be here with him anymore." She pointe

haney's hand and walked out of the lawyer's offi

parture ringing in my ears. Then, I methodically pack

o the designer furniture, was a testament to her family's wealth and my erased identity. For a decade, I had catere

m

ost. Subdued, tired, with sad eyes and a haircut that screamed "suburban dad." This wasn't Alex S

air. Then I found an old box of dye from years ago and t

of a political spouse. I stuffed them all into garbage bags. I drove to the most expensive boutique in

w a flicker of the man I used to be

ebrate, I decided to go to that same Michelin-star restaura

t table by the window, was my former family. Angela was laughing, her head tilted towards Giovanni

hat's Councilwoman Lopez. Such a beautiful

hought Giovanni was her husband. The man who h

e in my chest. I almost got up to

ed for a second, his eyes widening in surprise. He quick

my new clothes. Her eyes, for the first time in a long time,

ately scowled. "What is he d

small, cold smile on my face. I

t getting