I had to survive until Friday.

Tuesday was torture. He came home from the office complaining about a headache. I stood at the stove stirring pasta sauce, my knuckles white gripping the wooden spoon, while he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and kissed my neck.

My skin crawled so violently I thought I might burst into flames.

“Did you get a chance to look at the bank papers, babe?” he murmured against my hair.

“I looked at them,” I said, keeping my voice deadpan. “I’m going to take them to a notary on Thursday on my lunch break.”

“Perfect,” he said, squeezing my hips. “You’re the best. I know this financial stuff stresses you out, but it’s going to protect us. I just want you to be safe if anything happens to my heart.”

I closed my eyes and imagined driving the wooden spoon through his actual heart. “I know,” I breathed.

Wednesday, the forensic accountant called. Evelyn had expedited the trace. Not only had he paid for the birth, but he had also been transferring his annual corporate bonuses into a hidden LLC registered under Chloe’s name. Over $140,000 in marital funds, vanished.

Thursday night, he packed a duffel bag.

“The firm is sending me to that stupid compliance retreat upstate,” he lied smoothly, zipping the bag. “I’ll be back Sunday afternoon. Just leave the notarized papers on the counter, and I’ll drop them at the broker’s office on Monday.”

He was moving out. He was packing his bag to go spend the weekend at his new house, with his new baby, expecting to file divorce papers on Friday morning fully funded by my equity.

“Okay,” I said from the doorway, leaning against the frame so my shaking legs wouldn’t give me away. “Have a good trip.”

He walked over, kissed my forehead with practiced tenderness, and left. I watched his taillights disappear down our street.

Then I locked the deadbolt, poured a massive glass of wine, and waited for morning.

Friday, 9:00 AM.

I knew his schedule. I knew he wouldn’t be at a retreat. He would be at his office, meeting with his own sleazy lawyer to finalize the divorce filing.