ManyWriters

I hurried to the hotel on my beat-up electric scooter, eager to tell my wife that our coffee shop was finally about to land its first big order.
As I pushed open the door to the banquet hall, I froze in shock.
A ragdoll cat was rolling around on the cake I had stayed up all night to make.
My wife walked over, stepping on cake crumbs strewn across the floor. Without even glancing at me, she fastened a platinum collar around the cat's neck, then moved close to adjust that man's tie.
I looked down at my flour-covered work uniform, then at the cheap plastic pendant hanging from my daughter's neck.
So this was the "high-end market" she had been talking about. It was never about our coffee shop.
Ten years of marriage, shattered at a pet party.

The Aftertaste is Not Gone

She awoke as if from a dream, only to find cold indifference and disgust in my eyes.


She stumbled backward, collapsing into a chair.


"I just lost my way for a moment, clinging to a youthful obsession. Can't you give me one more chance?"


"You don't deserve to be called a mother."


"In your heart, our father-daughter bond is worth less than Gunner's ragdoll cat."


"If you don't sign, I'll file for divorce."


Without waiting for her response, I turned and left.


While she was in custody, I moved out with Meadow.


I hired a housekeeper to take care of daily chores. Before, I did everything myself to save money, only to be rewarded with betrayal.


Now I focus all my energy on my career, and I'm reaping greater rewards.


I only agreed to settle after she paid triple damages.


After her release, she pestered me daily about reconciliation under the guise of seeing our daughter.


I consistently avoided her, not wanting to drag the child into adult matters.


Chapter 6