Page 79 of The Amendment

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“To get a refill.” I wiggled my glass at him as I crossed the room. In the kitchen, I began to pour myself another glass of wine.

“Bring me some, will you?”

I stopped, staring at the wine bottle and rememberingthe many nights we’d shared glasses of wine to celebrate special occasions. I thought back over the many bottles we’d been gifted at our wedding, the times he’d order my favorite wine at a restaurant before I’d had the chance, the birthdays and anniversaries where we’d opened a bottle once the house had gone quiet and the kids were down for bed.

Things had been good once, they truly had.

I wasn’t delusional.

I could remember him. Before.

Before it all changed.

When I was the whole world to him.

But we hadn’t been those people in a long time. It was time to stop kidding myself.

When I madeit back into the living room with just the bottle in my hand, it took a second for him to notice me.

“Where’s your glass?”

“I think I’m just going to go to bed.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I have a headache.”

“Hm… Want me to get you some medicine?”

“Nah, I think it’s from the wine. Lying down will help.” I paused—one last-ditch effort on my tongue. “Want to join me?”

“I want to catch the news,” he said simply. “I’ll be in there soon, though.”

I nodded, placing the wine bottle down in front of him. No sooner had I done so than he’d scooped it up and filled his glass to the brim. I kissed his head one last time.

“I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He barely glanced my way, breaking my heart for the final time as I headed for the bedroom.

Once I had, I grabbed a bag and began to pack.

CHAPTER THIRTY

PETER

Darkness.

The world was dark.

Damp.

Cold.

Rank.

Something smelled.

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