The Last Dinner
That evening, Lena arrived at dinner glowing with confidence.
She had no idea what was waiting for her.
She complimented the waiter.
Joked with the sommelier.
Then turned to me.
“Sweetheart, you really should learn my signature risotto.”
I said nothing.
“Ethan has always been spoiled. He has standards.”
I looked at my husband.
He smiled awkwardly.
Something inside me finally broke.
I stood.
My chair scraped loudly across the floor.
“Enough.”
The table went silent.
Lena blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t get to be in my marriage.”
Ethan immediately reached for my wrist.
“Avery, sit down.”
I pulled my hand away.
“No.”
“Avery—”
“No. I’ve been quiet for six days.”
Lena laughed nervously.
“Richard, say something.”
Richard slowly placed his napkin on the table.
“No.”
Lena’s smile disappeared.
“What are you doing?”
Richard looked at Ethan.
“Your wife has waited long enough.”
Then he reached into his jacket.
Lena’s face changed.
She recognized the envelope.
“Richard.”
He placed it on the table.
“I found out why you really followed them here.”
Ethan stared at his father.
“What does that mean?”
Lena stood.
“Richard, don’t.”
He opened the envelope.
“Sit down, Lena.”
“I said don’t!”
For the first time, her voice sounded frightened.
Richard placed the recorder on the table.
Ethan stared at it.
“What is that?”
Richard looked at his son.
“The truth.”
He pressed play.
Lena’s voice came through the tiny speaker.
And the first sentence made Ethan’s face turn completely white.
