Beyond the Divorce

Chapter 8 Unexpected Company

I forced myself out of bed the following day. The dark circles around my eyes were horrible, and Matthew noticed them. He asked in surprise, “

The following day, I forced myself out of bed. My dark circles were horrible.

Matthew saw my haggard face and asked in surprise, “Are you sick, Coco? Why do you look so pale?”

“You kept me up all night,” I retorted, not in the mood for pleasantries.

He was stunned but hugged me with a shy grin. “No more drinking for you. Exercise is better instead since it helps with sleep.”

when I heard his words. I rushed

behind me and patted my back. “What’s wrong with you? Maybe I should take you to

pushed him away and lied, “It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well. You should take Ava

get some sleep while I send Ava to school. If

listened to my husband and daughter’s chatter get softer as they left. Finally, they closed the door behind them, and I left the bed to run to the window. I watched Matthew

didn’t look away until Matthew drove out of the gated community. My eyes teared up as I wondered if only everything could return to how it was before. Afterward, I changed into my jeans and t-shirt and tied my hair into a ponytail before slipping on

strategic spot facing the entrance. I knew it was foolish,

home empty-handed for three consecutive days. I couldn’t even see Matthew because I overlooked one crucial detail. He often used the underground parking, which had a direct passage to the lobby.

on

Matthew hurrying out of the building with his phone. He seemed to be talking on the

far. He crossed the road at

the surrounding commercial district to hang out and discuss business

glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows, wondering