The Accidental Husband

tural firm where he had worked for the last fi

d, placing a simple, white e

ked up in surprise. "Resign? Liam, you're one of my

ticed, apologetic smile. "My family... they need me

It was also, in a way, the truth. He was going back to hi

e small office. His colleagues gathered around his

a fellow architect he often had lunch with.

t," Liam sai

ide. "Is everything okay with you and Olivia?" she asked, her voice low. "Sh

ze. "You

with some guy. When I mentioned you might be taking a job offer in another city, she just kind of.

t just cheating on him emotionally; she was actively looking

," Liam admitted vaguely, the

nd handing off projects. He felt a sense of liberation,

s throwing at a trendy downtown bar. He knew it would be painful, but he also knew he had

music was loud, and people were laughing and drinking. He felt like

ia's closest friends, Jessica and Maria. They were s

ssica said, her voice giddy. "Olivia must be

tting up with that boring architect is finally goi

ey saw him as a stepping stone, a bland, unremarkable man she had settled for. They were so sure of their little narrative, so

ed. Olivia walked in, beaming, her arm link

e faltered for a moment before she composed he

ice bright and false. "This is my fri

dshake was firm, his smile confident. He looked Liam up

said his name was laced with something he now rec

a way of defining and diminishing him

, steady smile. "For now," he said, his

e quickly dismissed it, turning her attention back to the gues