Chapter 4: The Photo Wall

On Saturday morning I drove to the townhouse because Adeline had said she would end the game properly.

She had told me the house key, the signet ring and my "departure papers" would be handed back in person.

I stopped in the front hall with my coat still on.

The living room had been decorated the way it was at the end of every game.

There were streamers across the ceiling, a cake on the coffee table and champagne sweating in a silver bucket.

The walls were covered in photographs.

I knew every one of them.

Me at the dinner table, standing, with my jaw tight.

Me in a hallway, walking away with my back to the camera.

Me tearing up a sheet of paper that read Game Agreement, Year Three, while a dozen people watched.

Each year had its own row.

Under every photo hung a small card in her friends' handwriting, with a bet and a name.

Four minutes. Eight minutes. Before the cake.

Under the newest row, one large card hung by itself.

How many minutes will it take Elias to give in after he sees the divorce agreement?

Forty people stood in the room with drinks in their hands.

Preston sat in my armchair, turning my car key between his fingers.

The signet ring was on his right hand.

Adeline stood beside him in the green dress she had worn on our first date.

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