I didn't learn about Dale's all-consuming first love until after we were already married.
Everyone has a past. I didn't hold it against him.
What I hadn't expected was that he'd never let her go.
The moment Noreen set foot back in the country, he wanted a divorce.
I looked at the dining table. A lavish spread, every dish plated to perfection, the aroma filling the room.
Dale still had the apron on.
Eight years of knowing him. Six years of marriage. I never once knew he could cook.
I sat down. "The last supper?"
"Sorry." Dale untied the apron. "This is a welcome-home dinner for Noreen. She doesn't like to share. I promised her that anything I cook is for her and her alone."
He walked over and picked up a divorce agreement he'd clearly prepared in advance.
"If you agree, sign it and move out."
That eager to get rid of me.
I picked up the agreement. My brow creased.
The terms were spelled out in black and white. I would leave with nothing.
I said nothing. I picked up the pen.
Divorce was a perfectly normal thing. I could accept it.
But Dale had gone too far. If he'd even split things evenly, I wouldn't have said a word.
From here on out, I would take back everything that was mine. In my own way.