Alexander’s face broke for just a second.
Then discipline returned.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because two days later, someone broke into our apartment.”
Sofia’s mouth opened.
Alexander stared.
“What?”
“They didn’t take money. They didn’t take jewelry. They went through drawers. Cabinets. Your desk.”
“Why didn’t you report it?”
“I did.”
“To whom?”
“The military police.”
Marcus looked toward Alexander.
“Was there a report?”
Alexander shook his head slowly.
“I never saw one.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course you didn’t.”
I stood.
“I was terrified. I moved the envelope to my mother’s house. Then you came home changed. Distant. Angry. Weeks later, you started disappearing at night. A year after that, you told me the marriage was over.”
Alexander’s eyes filled with regret.
“I thought I was protecting you.”
“And I thought you stopped loving us.”
Neither of us spoke.
