Part 3No Person Found

On the afternoon of the fourth day, Ezra returned. I was sitting on the floor of my small apartment, sorting through my old belongings when my phone rang—it was a call from him.

As soon as the call connected, I was met with a barrage of angry questions.

“Olivia, where did you move to? What happened to the house? Why are all your things gone?”

I spoke calmly. “The divorce papers are in the study, on your desk. Sign it, and have your lawyer set up a time.”

On the other end of the line, it went quiet for a few seconds.

Then came his roar. “Divorce? Olivia, what kind of madness has gotten into you? Why are you making such a scene when everything was going so well? I went away on business for three days, and I come back to find you’ve cleared out the entire house! Even if you’re throwing a temper tantrum, there ought to be a limit!”

I moved the phone a little further away and waited for him to finish with his yelling. “Ezra, answer one question for me. Where did you go the past three days?”

“I was on a business trip! Didn’t I tell you?”

“Which city, which hotel, and which client did you meet?”

He paused for a moment. “It’s confidential company information. Why are you asking in such detail? Olivia, you’re starting to investigate me again, aren’t you? It’s been four years. Why are you still doing this?”

His voice grew increasingly agitated. “I’m telling you, this is a sickness of yours, and you need to get it treated! You’re so paranoid! You’ve been investigating this for four years, and what have you found? Even the therapist said you’re obsessed, and your behavior right now is the best proof of that!”

His comment made me burst out laughing. “Ezra, guess why I moved out. Why did I sign the papers without telling you to stay?”

He froze. “What do you mean?”

“The day before Nina’s birthday, I went over to give her a gift, and I stood there for a very long time.”

Dead silence fell over the phone. I could hear his breathing suddenly turn erratic.

“H-How much did you hear?”

“From the moment you said you could only stay with her for half the day to when you two made plans to go on a trip together to Asper. I heard every word.”

It took a long time before he found his voice again. “Olivia, listen to me. It’s not what you think. Nina and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

“Oh? Then what is that fixed sum of money transferred every year? What is the reason behind you disappearing for the same three days every year? And who went skiing with her in Asper?”

He couldn’t answer. After a long while, his tone shifted, and he softened up.

“Fine, I admit I was wrong. But Nina is young and doesn’t know any better. Be the bigger person and don’t hold it against her. If this gets out, her reputation as a recent graduate will be ruined. Olivia, she’s looked up to you like a sister for eight years.”

I almost laughed out of sheer frustration. “And so it’s okay for her to sleep with my husband for four years? Ezra, is that your reason for pleading on her behalf? I’ve left the papers on the desk. Are you going to sign it or not?”

“I refuse to sign it.” He hardened his stance again, saying, “Olivia, don’t even dream about getting a divorce. Never mind if I disagree, but if you take this to court, what will happen to Nina? She’s looking for a job, getting settled in the city, and planning for marriage. One blemish on her record could ruin it all. If you destroy her, what do you stand to gain yourself?”

The very last bit of hope in my heart disappeared. Even at a time like this, he was protecting Nina’s reputation.

“Ezra, I’ll say this one last time. Whether you sign it or not, I’m definitely getting this divorce. If you don’t sign, I’ll file a lawsuit.”

“Olivia, you dare threaten me? Let me tell you, you–”

I hung up, unbothered to listen to another word he had to say. Then, I blocked his and Nina’s numbers.

Outside the window, the evening glow painted half the sky red. I sat on the floor, looking at the room full of my old things.

There was a photograph—the very first photo of Nina and me together. Back then, after finishing her summer school in high school, she was tanned dark and stood timidly beside me.

At that time, I had just started working and sent half of my monthly salary to her. I thought I was planting a seed of kindness, but instead, I had raised a snake and led it right into my marriage.

I flipped the photo over, placing it face down on the floor.