My husband sent another woman a huge bouquet of white roses and pink peonies with a card signed “Love, Daniel,” and by one careless mistake, those flowers arrived at our house instead.

offered “I can sleep in the guest room.”

“No.” He suggested “We should talk when we’re calmer.”

“No.” He said, “Claire.” I stepped forward and pressed the keys into his palm. “You spent six months building a place in your life where I didn’t exist.” I told him, followed by “You can sleep there tonight.” He looked stunned. At last he took an overnight bag upstairs, returning ten minutes later. By the door, he insisted, “The conference is real.” I said, “Congratulations.” He clarified, “I’m saying I didn’t invent the