Chapter 4Worth Less Than a Coupon

That night, I quit the administrative job I'd held for five years.

I also called a lawyer friend and asked what I needed to prepare for a divorce.

I didn't go home.

Adrian didn't ask where I was.

He probably assumed what he always assumed: that I'd gone to my parents' place in a mood, would cool off for a few days, and then come back on my own.

After I finished the resignation paperwork, I finally went back to our apartment with the divorce agreement in my bag.

The place was empty.

Then my phone rang.

Celeste was video calling.

"Nora, look where we are."

I caught a glimpse of unfamiliar faces and a packed stadium behind her.

"You're overseas?"

She nodded excitedly.

"Yeah. Adrian and I are in Eurepan for the sports event. The atmosphere is insane. I wanted you to see it too."

The call was so loud that I frowned.

Celeste kept talking over the crowd, asking whether there was anything I wanted her to bring back.

Then a hand appeared off-camera and passed her a bottle of water.

Adrian's voice followed, gentle and close.

"Drink something. Your throat's going to hurt."

Then, a beat later, he asked, "Who are you video calling?"

The call ended abruptly.

That soft voice in the middle of all that noise felt like a weight dropping onto my chest.

My phone rang again.

This time it was Adrian.

He'd moved somewhere quieter.

There was an unfamiliar edge of panic in his voice.

"Nora, I'm here for work. Celeste happened to have time and came along. Don't overthink it."

Our fifth wedding anniversary was one week away.

I'd started planning a Marvidise trip a month earlier.

Adrian had rejected it with perfect logic.

"Baby, work is going to be brutal this month. I don't have the energy for an international trip.

"Let's keep things simple this year like we usually do. When this project is over, I'll make it up to you properly."

With me, there was always a better sale.

A better time.

A more practical option.

With Celeste, action always came before reason.

I held the phone numbly.

"I'm not overthinking anything."

My throat tightened.

"Adrian, I want a div-"

Celeste suddenly called his name.

His attention left me instantly.

"Good. I have something to handle here, and the stadium signal is terrible. We'll talk when I'm back.

"Send me a list if you want anything. I'll buy it for you."

He hung up before I could get another word out.

For the next several hours, Celeste sent updates every half hour.

A video from premium seats near the field.

Photos near the Breakmeil Bridge. And Uphill Park at night.

Her voice messages were full of excitement.

"Nora, Eurepan is gorgeous. It's such a shame you couldn't come.

"Adrian took me everywhere. He even bought the perfume I love. Don't worry, he picked one up for you too.

"The funniest part was the sales associate thought I was his wife. You should've seen how awkward we both got.

"Seriously, sometimes I'm jealous that you have such a gentle, thoughtful husband. You'd better treasure him."

My stomach rolled.

I was done with her performance.

My hands shook as I typed.

"You like him that much? He's yours."

Then I opened Adrian's chat.

"I want a divorce."

I blocked both of them.

Then I packed as quickly as I could and left the apartment for good, ignoring the endless vibrations from my phone.