The Divorce I Never Knew

step was t

people who needed to vanish. It was expensive, but Catalina' s money was, for the moment, still

ocial security, bank accounts, passport. Wiping myself fro

doctors said I would never draw again. The pain was immense, but the loss of my purpos

lver contraption that looked impressive but felt like a dead weight at the end of my arm. It couldn' t

ouraged me to try using my left hand. For two years, I had secretly, painstakingly, retaught myself to draw. My lin

in London. It was my secret. I was going to tell Catalina tonight, on our anniversa

I was grateful now that I hadn't told he

"Identity cancellation for

f washed over m

o get my portfolio, my real passport, and some cash.

alina was standing in the foyer, her arms crossed, her face a

Did you let him

us for years, flinched. "Mrs. Carter,

her shoulders s

ger vanished, replaced by a look of deep concern.

Where have you been?

me, a scent I used to love, now smelled l

a drive," I sai

face. "You know I don' t like it when you go out without

ffocating "love" she used to t

, the words a silent scream in

ina," I said, pul

apped up in her performance. "Come, I have your anniv

m-built for me after the attack, painted in my favorite shade of blue. It was su

ng the ocean. It was all glass and stone, with clean lines and a sense of impossible l

ce soft. "It' s called 'Eleazar' s Haven.' A place

ent of the windows to catch the morning light, even the breed of cat

rrow. She knew me so well. She knew every one of my desires, a

rying for the gift. I was crying for the man I used to be,

he gently wiped it away with her thumb. "You don' t have to th

a small box. Inside was a platinum ring,

s. "It' s a smart ring. It monitors your heart rate, your location... just to

racker.

irping ringtone. A tone I had never heard befor

on of a second, her mask slipped. I saw a f

this. A work emergency. You stay here, get to know

the helicopter. I watched as it lifted off, its blades whipping

at rubbing against my leg. The house

my hand. The cat had a