Wearing an Emerald Green Dress on My Birthday Cost Me My Husband

“An entry-level marketing position in Columbus is not a career, Elena. It is a starter job.” Damon clicked the laptop shut with a sharp snap. “I just do not want him throwing his money away to impress people.”

I set the iron on its heel and smoothed the shirt sleeve one last time. “He is trying to impress me.”

Damon did not answer. He stood up, took the hanger from my hand, and carried the shirt toward the hallway without saying thank you.

By four o’clock, the iron was cold and back in the pantry. I stood in the dining room, looking at the dust motes floating in the pale October sun. My phone buzzed on the sideboard.

It was a text from Jake. “Just leaving Columbus now. We should be at the restaurant by six-forty-five. You guys on your way soon?”

My hand hovered over the keyboard. I knew how much work Jake had put into coordinating this dinner with Lily and Noah. Lily had spent three weeks trying to get a table near the fireplace, and Noah had saved his tips from the hardware store to buy a gift.