stayed beside me as I opened it.
Inside was another envelope marked with my name.
The first document confirmed Irene’s story.
My hand hit cardboard.
The second showed her first marriage had never legally ended when she married me.
Penelope touched my arm.
“There’s another page.”
I unfolded it.
The date at the top made my chest tighten.
Forty-six years ago.
“There’s another page.”
It was a short letter from the man Irene had married at 18.
Irene,
I had no idea either. Tell me what needs signing so we can finally make this right.
Penelope watched me. “Does that help?”
“A little.”
There was no romance in the letter, no hidden affection, nothing that suggested Irene had been living a second life behind my back.
I had no idea either.
Then I unfolded the final document.
Relief lasted about ten seconds.
“What is it?” Penelope asked.
