Troy was over the moon about a deal my dad had introduced.
Hearing I was there to discuss a divorce only added to his joy, his fists clenched in barely concealed excitement.
Leaving, the salespeople looked at me dejectedly.
I smiled slightly and shook my head gently at them.
They smiled back, understanding the gesture.
After all, they weren't wrong. Troy really was a fool.
In my past life, I loved him for his good temper and the way his smile lit up like sunshine.
So I didn't mind that he wasn't well-off.
But as time went on, I realized that his easygoing nature didn't mean he was easy to communicate with.
Sometimes, when we disagreed, he'd shut down, his indifference more painful than any harsh words could be.
And you could never expect him to empathize with you.
The day Helen sued me, he was out dining with clients.
When our daughter was pushed in front of a truck, the police took Helen away.
I thought, as a father, he'd at least offer some words of comfort.
But to my utter despair, ignoring my heart-wrenching sobs, he just mused.
"Helen is suffering from losing her son, too."
So yes, I was truly blind.
What were the two biggest regrets of my past life?
One was picking up Helen's child.
The other was not divorcing him sooner.
But I had come to realize things weren't as simple as they seemed.
The 30-day cooling-off period for the divorce was ticking down.
I couldn't just move all my stuff out at once.
I was afraid it might make them suspicious and cause them to have second thoughts.
Then, it wouldn't be something that could be resolved happily in just 30 days.
I took an extended leave from work.
Besides picking up Elisa every day, I secretly consulted a lawyer about the division of assets and custody issues.
Sometimes, I'd bring some of my things back home.
The rest of the time, I interacted with them just like before.
Though it was a struggle, this kind of endurance was hopeful compared to my past life.
Interestingly, from the moment I agreed to the divorce, Amanda and Troy started treating me with a strange politeness.
Probably, they were afraid I'd change my mind.
There was only one week left until the divorce was finalized.
I went to pick up Elisa from school.
On the way back, she pouted, visibly upset, occasionally reaching back to touch her spine.
I thought she had a backache. It scared me.
She pinched her little nose.
"Don't worry, Mom, it's not pain.