So even after we moved into the penthouse at Bayshore Villa, I secretly bought the apartment and kept it.
I used to imagine that when Dennis and I grew old, we would move back here and live out our days together.
I never thought the day would come when our marriage would be over, and I'd return to the place where it all began.
I turned the key and pushed the door open.
Two bodies were tangled together on the couch.
And the matching pajamas I had kept tucked away in the closet, the ones Dennis and I once wore together,
They were wearing them right now. Dennis and Beryl, standing in my apartment, dressed in my pajamas.
My mind went blank. The words tore out of me before I could stop them.
"Dennis! How could you bring her here? You know this is where we..."
I didn't finish. Beryl's hand was already moving. She slapped herself across the face with practiced precision, her cheek blooming red in an instant. She stepped in front of Dennis, eyes brimming with tears, and stared me down.
"Mrs. Sanchez, I just wanted to understand what Dennis's life was like before. I begged him to bring me here." Her lip trembled. "If it upsets you, I'll get on my knees and apologize. Just please stop hurting him."