Love Disperses With the Wind

Claire Fort has spent seven years as Ray Prunier's wife, enduring his affairs in silence and keeping up the appearance of a happy marriage. When she learns that Ray has been visiting a coffee shop in the college district, she goes there herself and meets Nadia Rivera, a cheerful student who works part-time at the shop. That night, Ray comes home drunk, and when Claire mentions the coffee shop, he grabs her by the throat and warns her to stay away from Nadia, calling her his bottom line.

After Ray releases her, Claire is left with a handprint on her neck and a text message: Ray wants a divorce, offering her the house and car so he can be with Nadia. When Claire goes to his office, the receptionist mistakes Nadia for Ray's wife and treats Claire with contempt. Claire remembers how Ray once threatened another man to keep her, and now she stands in the building, watching Nadia cling to Ray, her hands shaking and tears falling.

Claire must decide whether to keep pretending or to face the end of a marriage she once begged her father to allow.