“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere else tonight.”
“You can’t just leave.”
He looked at her.
“You asked for a divorce.”
“I thought you’d at least try to stop me.”
“Claire, I don’t know how to compete with another man for my own wife.”
He walked outside.
The evening air felt colder than he expected.
He had just started his truck when his phone rang.
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
“Cole Mercer?”
“Who’s asking?”
“Derek.”
Cole closed his eyes briefly.
“What do you want?”
“I hear you’re leaving Claire.”
“That’s between me and my wife.”
Derek laughed.
“Your wife? That’s funny.”
Cole said nothing.
“Listen, old man. Claire deserves someone who can give her more than a boring little life.”
“Then give it to her.”
“I intend to.”
There was a pause.
Then Derek’s voice changed.
“I also hear you’re planning to take half the house.”
Cole sat up straighter.
“Who told you that?”
