Chapter 2 - Twelve Days
Daniel left on a Tuesday night.
He packed one duffel bag while Emma helped Noah build a tower from wooden blocks in the living room.
Claire followed him into the bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“The gym.”
“With dress shoes?”
Daniel did not answer.
He emptied the top drawer into the bag, added two work shirts, and took the expensive watch Claire had given him for their tenth anniversary.
Then he finally looked at her.
“I’m done pretending.”
Claire felt the room shift beneath her.
“Pretending what?”
“That this marriage still works.”
He admitted there was someone else.
Vanessa Reed worked in corporate accounts at his office. According to Daniel, she understood him in ways Claire no longer did.
Claire looked toward the hallway.
“What about the children?”
“I’ll call them.”
“You live here.”
“Not anymore.”
He walked downstairs while Emma watched from the carpet.
“Daddy, where are you going?”
Daniel kissed the top of her head.
“Work trip.”
Claire stared at him.
Even while abandoning them, he wanted the children to believe he remained dependable.
He left without discussing money, custody, the mortgage, or when he would return.
The following morning, Claire discovered he had transferred nearly everything from their joint checking account.
He left her four hundred twelve dollars.
The mortgage payment was due in nine days.
The heating repair company required a deposit.
Noah needed a prescription refill.
Daniel did not answer her calls.
But he sent one message.
Do not make this ugly.
May you like
Claire read it three times.
Then she called an attorney.
