Love is Like the Wind, Love is Gone Without a Trace

But it wasn't until I discovered a pair of worn men's shorts under the passenger seat that I felt ill just thinking about it.

I assumed Claudine was just asking casually, but suddenly she was insistent on a response.

I said gently, "Nothing, I was just too childish before."

On the way, Claudine became hungry and pulled up in front of a restaurant that we both enjoyed.

"I want spaghetti. What do you want? Hamburger?"

I nodded while I continued to glance at my phone.

Claudine tried to talk to me numerous times, but when she saw I wasn't listening, she stopped talking.

The dishes were ready and Claudine took the initiative to bring them to me.

"Archie, I remember you don't like pickles, so I picked them out for you…"

Perhaps since we hadn't seen each other for days, Claudine's tone softened as she tried to get us closer through this meal talk. But I stared at the burger sans a pickle in front of me calmly. I cracked a grin. Even after six years of marriage, I would always top my hamburger with pickles and tomatoes.

Her childhood sweetheart, Edgar, was the one who disliked pickles.

When she noticed that I remained silent, she got up, went to the dining table and said to the boss, "Please add some pickles for him." Claudine's expression shifted somewhat as she ate spaghetti in shock and appeared to think of something.

"I'm sorry, Archie. Look," Claudine said to me, "I've been so busy lately that I forgot and I feel like my brain isn't functioning well. I forgot you ate pickles!"

I grinned as I looked at her pathetic acting.

On my way back after dining, I went by the junction where I was involved in a car accident. Despite the fact that it had been over six weeks, I still felt a dull aching in my chest when I was thinking about it.

After six years of marriage, I still wasn't as good as her childhood sweetheart, whom she hadn't seen in many years.

I messaged my lawyer friend, saying, "I'll buy you dinner another day and you help me draft a divorce agreement."

Claudine pulled the brakes as her body abruptly pushed forward a little, saying, "We're home."

To assist me with my bags, Claudine got out of the car on her own initiative.

I went upstairs and responded to the message.

The home should have been unoccupied, but as soon as I pulled open the door, I heard an eager footfall.

"Claudine, are you home?"

Unconsciously, Edgar, still in my pajamas, stood at the entrance and gave the person who entered a hug. His smile stopped when he realized it was me who had entered.

"Eh-Archie..."

His innocent look made me feel sick.

Before I could say anything, Claudine came forward to clarify.

"Archie, Edgar's rent has expired and he came to stay at home for a few days..."

This wasn't the first time it had happened. Edgar's presence caused us to argue more than once in the past. However, I felt more at ease now that I knew we were going to be divorced.

"You guys just do whatever you want."

I pushed the corner of my lips back, preparing to pass by him and return to the room, but I was outraged at what I saw in front of me. My belongings were flung out the door. My clothes and computer were stacked like rags at the entryway. Someone with a massive footprint appeared to have purposefully walked on even the suit I treasured the most. It appeared incredibly disorganized and filthy.

"What’s happening here?" I said, taking a long breath.

Edgar seemed alarmed when he saw my anger. "Claudine, I told you that Archie would not be pleased. What should I do? It's all my fault. Let me just move out..."

Claudine comforted him softly with her glances.