There were two suitcases beside the bed.
Daniel’s black suitcase.
And a large cream-colored suitcase beside it.
Women’s clothes were hanging inside the wardrobe.
Trace Family History
Two toothbrushes stood in the bathroom.
Two coffee cups sat on the table.
This wasn’t a chance meeting.
This wasn’t some misunderstanding.
They had come here together.
I looked at Daniel.
— How long?
He closed the door.
— Laura…
— How long?
Emily looked away.
Daniel swallowed.
— Eight months.
Eight months.
Seventeen years of marriage, reduced to eight months of lies.
I felt strangely calm.
— Does she know you’re married?
Emily answered before Daniel could.
— Yes.
I turned toward her.
— And that didn’t bother you?
Her face tightened.
— He told me the marriage was already over.
I looked back at Daniel.
He said nothing.
That silence answered everything.
— Was it?
— Laura, things between us haven’t been good for a long time.
