Chapter 36

The divorce papers sat on the table like a final goodbye neither of us wanted to say out loud.

I stared at them, my throat tightening. The air in the room felt stiff, like it didn’t want to move around us just like we weren’t moving either. I glanced at Benjamin. He wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were fixed on the edge of the table, his jaw tense, lips pressed together. But I could see it. The sadness behind his calm mask. He was trying to be strong for both of us.

My fingers trembled as I picked up the pen. It felt heavier than it should, like it knew what I was about to do.

I hovered over the paper, just for a second.

Then I signed.

A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly with the back of my hand, pretending it hadn’t happened, pretending I wasn’t falling apart inside.

I didn’t wait to see him sign. I couldn’t.

I pushed the papers towards him, stood up without a word, and walked out of the room.

My legs carried me to th