He didn’t look at me again. Bowing his head, he patted Ethan’s back, his voice hoarse. “I’ll sign the divorce papers. Tomorrow at noon, come home. I’ll sign them in front of both our families.”
With that, he turned and walked out, still holding the crying Ethan. His back was straight, but it bore the weight of defeat so heavy it nearly bent him.
The shop went silent behind him. All eyes looked at me, full of shock and contempt, as if I had just done something unforgivable.
I offered no explanation. I only bent down and continued stacking the shelves.
...
The next day at noon, as soon as I pushed open the front door, a flurry of voices rushed at me from the living room.
Both my parents and Jonathan's parents were seated on the sofas. My mother’s eyes were swollen and red from crying, while Sandra sighed over and over, her face etched with exhaustion.
In the corner, Jonathan sat with Ethan in his arms.
The shadows under his eyes were darker than they had been the day before. When he looked up and saw me walk in, his gaze was stripped bare of emotion, like he was staring at a stranger.