And now he was deliberately creating a new story.
Daniel, alone on vacation.
Daniel, starting over.
Daniel, apparently single.
So I decided to correct the story.
Earlier that afternoon, I had asked a kind elderly couple near the beach to take a picture of Daniel and me.
Daniel had complained.
“You really need another picture?”
I had smiled.
“One for me.”
He had reluctantly wrapped his arm around my waist.
The sunset glowed behind us.
Daniel was smiling.
His wedding ring was clearly visible.
So was mine.
I opened his social-media account.
Uploaded the picture.
And typed:
Ten years married and still traveling together. Couldn’t imagine this vacation without my beautiful wife.❤️
Then I posted it.
My heart hammered.
Thirty seconds passed.
Nothing.
Then one minute.
Two.
Daniel returned to the table.
“Why are you smiling?”
“No reason.”
His phone buzzed.
He ignored it.
Then it buzzed again.
And again.
Daniel frowned.
“Someone really wants you,” I said softly.
He picked up the phone.
The color disappeared from his face.
