Boxes packed the emptied living room. Movers trudged in and out with heavy steps. Ethan stood in a corner, watching them shift the huge sofa where Emma loved to jump. Eyes hollow, soul-sucked. Emma clutched her teddy bear by my legs, whispering: "Mommy, is Daddy moving too?" I knelt, embracing her. "Daddy lives somewhere else. Emma stays with Mommy in the new place, okay?" She nodded vaguely, hugging the bear tighter.
Movers lifted the last box. Ethan approached, crouching before Emma. He reached to touch her hair but froze mid-air, hand dropping. "Emma..." his voice cracked, eyes red-rimmed. "Daddy... loves you. Will... visit often." Emma buried her face in the bear's fur, silent. He rose, meeting my gaze—pain, regret, plea churning into ashes. "Keys... on the table," he rasped. "Yes," I nodded. His eyes swept our former home, lingering on the wedding photo—us smiling, entwined, defying storms. He spun abruptly, stumbling after the movers. The door clicked shut softly.
The Empty Office
I visited NestIQ one last time to clear Ethan's things. The receptionist spotted me, eyes darting away. "Lily," she mumbled before busying herself. Ethan's office door gaped open, half-empty. File cabinets cleared. Only a wilting potted spider plant remained on the desk—one I'd brought from home to brighten it.
Sophia's office door stayed shut, shadows shifting behind frosted glass. I silently gathered drawer remnants: an old pen, a metal bookmark engraved with our initials... Fingertips numb. Closed the drawer. Turned to leave. Passing the break room, hushed whispers leaked out. "...Really divorced? So sudden?" "Tsk... heard it was Sophia..." "Shh! Quiet! Everyone knows now..." "Poor Lily..." I quickened my pace. Heels clicked hollowly on tile. Open workstations flanked the hall, myriad gazes pricking my back. The elevator mirror showed my stiff, pale reflection.
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