Inside were printed copies of every message I had sent Serena. Screenshots of hotel bookings. Bank records showing the money I had spent during the two weeks Olivia was due. A hospital form with my name crossed out under emergency contact.
A second letter was clipped to the front.
I went into labor the night you told me to stop calling. Beth drove me to the hospital. Noah’s heart rate dropped twice. I had an emergency C-section. You did not answer. Serena did.
My breath stopped.
Serena did?
My fingers trembled as I turned to the next page.
It was a screenshot from Olivia’s phone.
Olivia: Michael, I’m at the hospital. Something is wrong. Please answer.
Serena: He is busy. Stop using the baby to drag him back.
Olivia: I need my husband.
Serena: Then maybe you should have been a better wife.
I clutched the counter until my knuckles turned white.
I had known Serena was possessive. I had known she hated hearing Olivia’s name. But I had not known she had answered my phone while my wife was in labor.
Or maybe I had known enough and simply decided not to care.
At the bottom of the folder was a legal notice.
Olivia had filed for separation, temporary full custody, child support, and restricted contact until a court hearing.
The hearing was in twelve days.
I read the documents three times before the truth finally reached me.
Olivia had not disappeared because she was fragile.
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