and a woman who would smooth over every inconvenience.
Now he was offering me access to a house I had helped buy, as though it were a generous parting gift.
“Have a safe flight,” I said.
He frowned.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
He leaned closer.
“Don’t make things difficult when the divorce comes.
I know how much the company is worth.”
“So do I.”
He studied my face, apparently searching for fear.
When he found none, he shook his head and walked toward security with Talia.
I watched them disappear.
Then I picked up the key.
In the parking garage, I called Priya.
“He has confirmed the separation,” I told her.
“Please proceed.”
Our attorneys began the necessary filings and notices.
I also contacted my card issuers and removed Adrian’s authorization on my two personal accounts.
The company’s earlier card suspension remained in effect.
I drove home in the rain.
June was sitting at the kitchen table when I arrived.
I told her that her father had left with Talia.
She stared at me for a few seconds, then asked a question that nearly broke my composure.
“Did he even ask about me?”
I couldn’t lie to her.
“Not the way he should have.”
She nodded, looking down at her hands.
“I thought so.”
We sat together for a long time.
That afternoon, I began making dinner for two.
At 3:42 p.m., my telephone rang.
Adrian’s name appeared on the screen.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
“Nora! Thank God.”
He sounded breathless.
“What’s wrong?”
“We’re at the hotel in Lisbon.
None of the cards work.
They want a deposit, and everything keeps getting rejected.”
I could hear an irritated conversation behind him.
“Which cards?” I asked.
“The travel cards.
The company card.
My personal card.
Even my debit card won’t cover the amount!”
I knew why several of them had failed.
He was no longer authorized to use my accounts.
The company had suspended its card, and his personal credit account had already been almost exhausted before he left.
Whatever remained in his checking account was apparently insufficient for the substantial hotel deposit.
“The company card isn’t available for your vacation,” I said.
“And you’re no longer an authorized user on my accounts.”
“You did this?”
“I protected accounts that belong to me and the company.
Your personal finances are yours.”
“You can’t just leave me stranded!”
I looked through the kitchen window at the flowers June and I had planted that spring.
“You chose to leave, Adrian.”
His voice softened.
“Please.
Just send nine thousand dollars.
I’ll pay you back.”
“No.”
The word felt unfamiliar at first.
Then it felt natural.
He began bargaining.
He promised explanations.
He accused me of trying to humiliate him.
He said Talia had thought he controlled more money than he actually did.
Finally, he stopped shouting.
“Nora, listen carefully.
If you don’t help me, June could have a serious financial problem.”
I straightened.
“What does June have to do with this?”
“Ask her about the loan she signed for.”
A chill moved through me.
“What loan?”
“She knows.”
He disconnected.
June was standing in the kitchen doorway, holding a glass of water.
When I repeated his words, she went pale.
“Mom,” she whispered, “I never signed a loan.”
She hurried upstairs
