Chapter 4

I got home the same way I left. Then I looked around the empty house, feeling something I hadn’t felt in years. Relief.

For the first time, I didn’t have to cook for the whole family or spend my day cleaning up after everyone.

I went to the bedroom and packed up everything I’d accumulated over the years. But after searching through drawers and closets, I realized that there’s not much thing I owned.

Thirty-five years of marriage, packed into a single box—and still plenty of space left. Then I booked a flight to France online.

The latest Global Dance Arts Festival was going to be held in Paris. It was the competition I’d once dreamed of entering more than anything.

After marrying Richard, I hadn’t given up on the idea of returning to the stage —I’d considered making a comeback more than once.

But every time I brought it up, Richard would say, “The family needs you, Anna. I’m busy with work, and the kids need you to take care of them. Once they’ve grown, you can do whatever you want. I’ll support you all the way. For now, let’s focus on building a good life for our little family, okay?”

Looking at our newborn son, Keith, and the earnest look in Richard’s eyes, I’d softened and given in. But even after the children grew up, there was still an endless amount of work waiting for me at home. I never got the chance to do all the things Richard had promised I could do someday.

Now, at last, I had the chance to live for myself, no longer had to worry about family, children, or the endless and exhausting housework.

That night, I slept more peacefully than I had in years.

Early the next morning, I arrived at the courthouse right on time. But by noon, Richard still hadn’t shown up.

After a long moment of hesitation, I dialed Richard’s number.

He answered, but before I could say a word, his angry voice came first.

“What? Feeling guilty now? I can put up with your jealousy and tantrums, Anna, but how could you be this vicious?!”

His barrage of accusations and anger left me frozen. It took me a long moment to process what he was saying.

“What did I do?” I finally asked.

“Playing dumb, huh?” Richard let out a cold laugh. “It was you spreading rumors accusing Margaux of academic fraud and being a homewrecker, right? I’ve already had someone look into it. They traced the IP address of the first person who spread it, and it came from this city. Who do you think could it possibly be?” He accused.

In seconds, I knew who actually did it.

But I also knew Richard would never believe me, no matter what I said. Once he’d decided I was guilty, even if the truth were right in front of him, he would still blame me.

Richard’s furious voice continued through the phone. “You need clear this up. Tell everyone you’re sorry. Admit that you made up those rumors because you were jealous of Margaux and her success!”

My grip tightened around my phone. I’d been waiting outside the courthouse for hours, and standing right under the scorching sun had me dizzy.

“I know you won’t believe me, but it wasn’t me.” I squeezed the word out.

“If it wasn’t you, Anna, then who?” Richard snapped, his anger growing. “Thirty-five years ago, you were always the one in the spotlight; she was always second to you. You flaunt yourself in her presence every single day. Looking for faults in her every move. You were jealous when she took your spot in the solo performance and won the championship because you were pregnant. You’ve been jealous of her ever since, haven’t you, Anna?”

I froze.

Margaux was my closest friend at dance school. After every rehearsal, she would ask me to help her perfect her movements.

Whenever I won an award, Margaux was the first person I wanted to share the news with. And when I became pregnant and could no longer perform solo, she was the first person I thought of when our professor asked me to recommend a replacement.

I’d never imagined that anyone could look at those memories and see boasting and fault-finding instead of friendship.

I would sometimes feel envious or a little down when I watched Margaux succeed. But I’d never been jealous of her. And if Richard hadn’t deliberately gotten me pregnant, none of this would have happened.

With a tight grip around my phone, I shot, “You got me pregnant. You did it knowing full well I’d have to give up my solo performance. You planned everything ever so meticulously, making a way for Margaux, because you had feelings for her!”

I pause.

“Now, tell me that’s not true. Can you do that, Richard?”