His Tattoo's Final Lie

In the taxi back to our Seattle villa overlooking the lake, I called my best friend, Olivia, who was also the city's top divorce lawyer.

I said, "Olivia, it's time. Pull out the agreement. The one Julian drafted himself before we were married."

A moment later, Olivia replied, "On it."

To prove his commitment to our marriage, Julian had personally drafted this divorce agreement. If he ever cheated or stopped loving me, he would forfeit his company and all his assets, leaving with nothing.

At the time, his eyes had been full of adoration as he looked at me, certain he would never break his vow.

Unfortunately, time changes everything, even the most solemn of promises.

It was six o'clock in the evening when I got home. The food we'd left on the dining table two days ago had spoiled, filling the house with a sour stench of decay.

It was obvious Julian hadn't been home at all.

I forced myself to shower, took painkillers for the cramping in my abdomen, and soon fell asleep in the guest room.

In the middle of the night, the front door flew open. Julian stormed past the master bedroom straight to the guest room, and then—bang!

The door was kicked open, startling me awake.

The next second, the light flicked on, revealing Julian's face, his brow furrowed in a deep scowl.

"I'm your husband, Madeline! How could you just check out of the hospital without a word?"

When my eyes finally adjusted to the sudden light, I saw Julian standing at the door, panting. His expression was icy, filled with blame.

Behind him, Cassie peeked out, swallowed by a men's hoodie several sizes too big for her. Beneath it, her long, fair legs were bare and on full display.

I recognized the hoodie immediately. It was the anniversary gift I had given Julian last year.

Funnily enough, I clearly remembered him telling me just a month ago that he'd lost it at the gym.

Oblivious to his exposed lie, he pointed a finger at me, his voice cracking with indignation, "How could you check out of the hospital without telling me? Didn't you hear the doctor say your IVF was high-risk and that something could go wrong at any moment?! Madeline, can't you be a little more mature?"

"I spent half an hour searching the hospital for you! Was it too much to ask for a simple text saying you were discharged?!"

My expression was placid as I explained, "I was going to tell you, but you were busy comforting Cassie."

Cassie stepped out from behind Julian, her face pale with guilt as she tugged on his sleeve. "Julian, am I causing trouble for you two again?"