Chapter 35

Anita’s Pov

The warmth and lightheartedness of the dinner conversation faded as quickly as it had come. The moment I read the text from my mate, my smile vanished, and I felt an icy chill run through me. My mind started to race, connecting dots I had tried to ignore for so long.

Martha noticed immediately. “Anita? What’s wrong?” Her voice was tinged with concern, her earlier playfulness completely gone.

Zach looked up from where he was setting out snacks with his brow furrowing. “Yeah, you went pale. What happened?”

I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them. “It’s… it’s him. My ‘cheap husband.’ After disappearing all this time, the first thing he texts me about is… a divorce.”

Martha’s eyes widened, and she put her hand on mine. “That bastard! What nerve does he have showing up now, after all this time?”