Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

Chapter 7 Looking for Evidence

I had almost finished preparing the food when Matthew returned with our daughter. Ava ran in, exclaiming in her sweet and childish voice, “Mommy, I’m back! Daddy picked me up!”

Her adorable voice brought tears to my eyes, but I suppressed my emotions. “I got you some pineapples. They’re your favorite, right?”

“Oh! Mommy, you’re the best! I can’t wait to eat them” She ran out and headed to Matthew, saying, “Daddy, I want to eat pineapples!”

“You can have a small piece for now. You can have more after dinner, okay?” Matthew washed his hands and took a small piece to hand to our eager little girl. Then he squeezed into the tiny kitchen and hugged me from behind. “Why did you make so much food?”

I felt terrible because this once-happy family of three was now on the verge of collapsing.

back from a business trip. You must be tired.” I forced a

immediately sank. I playfully nudged him with my elbow. “Set the table and get ready for dinner.”

When I finished cooking, I smiled and asked, “Do you want a drink? It’s been a while, and

at me questioningly. “Why do you suddenly

out?” I asked as I turned to get the wine. “Since I made so

felt my heart shattering into a million pieces as I spoke. I knew Matthew couldn’t handle alcohol well, so I poured him a little to avoid arousing suspicion. Then I

talkative. I pretended to be in high spirits as I

not to drink too much. Ultimately, he drank more than he could handle. He was drunk when I

mission. My heart was pounding as it was my first time

searched through his pockets and

trying to grab his hand, but he suddenly turned and caught me,

need water,” he slurred at

collapsed back onto the bed, fast asleep. I unlocked and looked through his phone but found no

realize he hadn’t been messaging many people. I opened the conversation of