Chapter 9 - The Last Box
Two weeks later, Ethan returned for his final belongings.
A court supervisor waited near the front door. Margaret reviewed documents at the wooden table while Elena stood beside the kitchen windows.
The pills were gone. The thermometer was in a drawer. The divorce papers were now evidence.
Ethan carried a box from his office.
Without his usual confidence, he seemed smaller.
“Patricia says you changed the locks.”
“I did.”
“She says you threw away her things.”
“They were packed and sent to storage.”
He looked around.
“I really loved this place.”
“You loved owning it.”
“That is not fair.”
“Neither was trying to take it.”
He stepped closer.
“I made mistakes, but we had good years.”
“We had moments you used to earn my trust.”
His jaw tightened. “That is not true.”
Elena studied him. Part of her wanted a confession. Another part understood he would treat remorse as a negotiation.
He placed his key on the table.
“You are really ending this?”
“You ended it when you put a pen in my hand while I was on the floor.”
His eyes moved toward the place where she collapsed.
For once, he had no answer.
At the door, he turned back.
“What will you do here alone?”
Elena looked at the windows, the table, and Rose’s garden beyond them.
“I will live.”
The door closed.
May you like
Elena waited until his car left, then opened every curtain in the house.
Sunlight filled the rooms.
