The Dying Wife's Final Gift

her husband, was finally being transferred back to corporate headquarters.

ull of hope for their shared future. All tha

ned it to Crai

iday. We need to file th

now, I know. I' ve just been so busy

aig, we really need to

x? It' ll get done."

, and his promotion was a big deal. She understood

as a software architect at the same company, after all. It would be

up from her computer. "Dessi

nt relocation paperwork for me

to the system. "That' s strange. The system shows Mr.

ion. "He did? He didn' t tell m

hesitant. "He filed a single-person re

ld knot in Dessie' s stomach.

re full of pity. "The name l

essie like a physical blow. C

voice trembling. "Can you check again? We'

"The system is linked to the state' s official record

pulled out the lockbox where she kept their important documents

fficial-looking sea

ounty clerk' s office. The conversation was a b

ord of a marriage between D

t married thr

how a record for Craig Snyder. He was gran

ce? Fr

ma' am. D

two months ago. He had told her they were investment documents, something to secure their

world shattering on the other end of the li

spered, though she al

Chanel

ng a hideous picture. Craig' s evasiveness about the

ated a breathtakingly cruel deception. He had t

ticed, that secured his promotion. For three years, she had put his career first, turning down her ow

ture. A future he had alrea

t like her entire life, her identity as a

. She had to hear

bother knocking, just pushed the door open. Craig was on the

ack," he said qui

prise to guarded annoyance. "Dessie? What

ation paperwork," she said

ense

e continued. "They told me you fil

voided her eyes. "Dessie,

y told me we were divorced. That you

his hair. "Chanel... she needed help. It was a stra

ed, a harsh, broken sound. "You erased

to bring you there," he said, his voice taking on a soothing, manip

taggering. He was still trying to m

hing in her throat. "I built the software that got you this

te that, Dessie

off. He glanced at the scree

instantly. "I ha

on Dessie. "Hey, honey. Is eve

ted his real wife, leaving her standing in the ruins

later. "I have to

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving De

e it felt like she couldn' t breathe. Then, a diffe

She found the number for Elek Preston, the Vice President

the second ri

t' s Des

orry to hear you weren' t taking the le

pen?" she asked, her

ways. But I thought you were mo

said. "I want the project.