Beyond the Divorce

Chapter 7 Looking for Evidence

I had almost finished preparing the food when Matthew returned with our daughter. Ava ran in, exclaiming in her sweet and childish voice, “Mommy, I’m back! Daddy picked me up!”

Her adorable voice brought tears to my eyes, but I suppressed my emotions. “I got you some pineapples. They’re your favorite, right?”

“Oh! Mommy, you’re the best! I can’t wait to eat them” She ran out and headed to Matthew, saying, “Daddy, I want to eat pineapples!”

“You can have a small piece for now. You can have more after dinner, okay?” Matthew washed his hands and took a small piece to hand to our eager little girl. Then he squeezed into the tiny kitchen and hugged me from behind. “Why did you make so much food?”

I felt terrible because this once-happy family of three was now on the verge of collapsing.

just came back from a business trip. You must be tired.” I forced a smile and asked, “Were

I playfully nudged him with my elbow. “Set the table and get ready for dinner.”

of the other woman whenever he held me. When I finished cooking, I smiled and asked, “Do you want a drink? It’s been a while, and I want a glass

questioningly. “Why do you suddenly

going out?” I asked as I turned to get

I spoke. I knew Matthew couldn’t handle alcohol well, so I poured him a little to avoid arousing suspicion. Then I poured myself half a glass

talkative. I pretended to be in high spirits as I reminisced about our college days, starting the business, and our current

too much. Ultimately, he drank more than he could handle. He was drunk when I helped him onto the bed.

pounding as it was my first time looking through his things in so many years. I

through his pockets and

found his phone, but it had a fingerprint lock. I quietly approached him, trying to grab his hand, but he suddenly turned and caught me, staring at me with

he

to pour him a glass of water and fed it to him. Then he collapsed back onto the bed, fast asleep. I unlocked and looked through his phone but found no suspicious names