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.

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

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

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,

“Why do you suddenly want to

reason. Are you still going out?” I asked as I turned to get the wine. “Since I made so many dishes, we need to

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

we became excited and talkative. I pretended to be in high spirits as I reminisced about our college days, starting the business, and our current life. I seemed so happy.

reminding me not to drink too much.

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

and bag

it had a fingerprint lock. I quietly approached him, trying to grab his hand, but he suddenly turned

need water,” he

his phone but found no