Fourteen years of marriage.
Two houses over the years.
One mortgage on their current home.
Countless ordinary evenings spent discussing groceries, bills, work, and what to watch on television.
Cole had believed that ordinary life was something worth protecting.
Apparently, Claire had started to believe it was something worth escaping.
He heard footsteps on the stairs.
Claire appeared in the kitchen wearing a cream-colored robe, her damp hair tied behind her head. When she noticed her phone in Cole’s hand, she stopped.
For three seconds, they stared at each other.
Then she sighed.
“His name is Derek.”
Cole placed the phone on the counter.
“I heard.”
“He owns the gym where I train.”
“Congratulations.”
Her eyebrows tightened. “You don’t have to be sarcastic.”
“I’m not.”
“Then say something.”
“What would you like me to say?”
She folded her arms.
“Cole, we’ve been unhappy for a long time.”
He looked at her carefully.
