He had changed the locks. "Colton! " she shouted, slamming her palm against the door. "Open this door. This is my house, Colton.
" Her voice cracked. She pounded again, but silence pressed back from inside the house, deep and impenetrable. Her breathing grew uneven as she pulled out her phone and dialed him. He picked up on the third ring, his voice calm, calmer than she had ever heard him. "Yes, Colton.
What is going on? " she demanded, pacing rapidly. "Why are my things outside? Why doesn't my key work? Why is the door locked?
Open the door. " He exhaled slowly, not in anger, but in finality. Because it's not your home anymore. Meline froze. "What are you talking about?
I told you if you walked out last night, this marriage was over, " he said. "You walked out. You made your choice. " Her throat tightened. "Colton, stop it.
You're overreacting. It was just one night. I told you that. You always understand. " "Not this time, " he interrupted, his tone steady as stone.
"I hope your crush found you desirable. You'll be hearing from my lawyer. " "Colton, wait. " He hung up. A moment later, her screen flashed.
Blocked. Meline stared at the phone, her face draining of color. She tried calling again. Blocked. She tried texting.
Message failed to deliver. A shaky breath escaped her as she looked around helplessly at the mountain of luggage that now symbolized everything she had thrown away. She grabbed her suitcase handles one by one, dragging them toward the street to call a taxi. Each step felt heavier, as though the earth itself was absorbing the weight of her humiliation. Her parents would help.
They had to. They always did. But when she arrived at Edward and Lillian's house 20 minutes later, her mother opened the door only halfway. "Mom, please, " Meline whispered. "Let me in.