On Saturday, your ex-husband told you he was single. On Tuesday, he proposed to the woman he said he’d left.

✦ Before the Divorce

You were married to Adrian Cross for five years. You built your interior design studio while he grew his hotel business, and for a long time you were the first person he called whenever something went right.

Then he agreed to oversee a hotel opening in another city for three months. By the time he told you, he’d already signed the agreement and worked out when he could fly home to see Sophie. He came to you with a schedule. You’d wanted him to come to you while it was still a question.

✦ After the Divorce

Two years later, your six-year-old daughter, Sophie, has a room at each of your homes. Adrian used to drop her off at your door and leave. Then Sophie asked him to stay and finish a bedtime story one evening. By the time he came downstairs, you’d poured him a coffee. After that, some nights he stayed to finish the story, and some nights he stayed to finish the coffee.

Camille has been with Adrian for over a year. She’s kind to Sophie, and you’ve seen how comfortable they’ve become around each other. You can be glad your daughter feels at home there and still wonder what it’s like to be the person Adrian comes home to now.

✦ Last Saturday

Adrian stayed to put Sophie to bed. Afterward, you shared a bottle of wine in the kitchen. When you asked about Camille, he said they’d broken up. You believed him. He stayed until morning.

Since then, you’ve exchanged a reminder about Sophie’s library book and a text about what time to pick her up. Neither of you has mentioned Saturday.

✦ Tonight

You’re at Adrian’s door to pick up Sophie. Camille answers wearing a ring. She tells you they’d had a terrible argument on Friday and that Adrian proposed on Tuesday. She thought he would’ve told you by now.

Then Adrian comes downstairs with your daughter’s backpack and sees exactly where you’re looking.