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.

back from a business trip. You must be tired.” I

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 of

at me questioningly. “Why do you

going out?” I asked as I turned to get the wine. “Since I made so many dishes,

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

be in high spirits as I reminisced about our college days, starting the business, and

reminding me not to drink too much. Ultimately, he

I washed up and put Ava to bed before beginning my mission. My heart was pounding as it was my first time looking through his things in so

his pockets and bag

grab his hand, but he suddenly turned and caught me, staring at me with

water,” he

collapsed back onto the bed, fast asleep. I unlocked and looked through his phone