The Paper Trail of Our Failures Novel Chapter 2

Not surprisingly, after Carolina returned, Orlando didn’t reach out to me once.

In the past, after each divorce, I’d have been tracking his every move—staking out his usual spots, acting as if I were possessed. But not this time. Instead, I was living it up with my best friend, Kristen Murray—days filled with pizza and craft beer, nights with burgers and wings.

Soon, there were only twenty days left before I’d leave the country.

One afternoon, while waiting for our food at a restaurant with Kristen, I spotted Orlando and Carolina.

He had his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked in, chatting and smiling, looking like they were made for each other.

“Gretchen?”

Orlando’s eyes locked on me immediately.

Carolina looped her arms around his neck and flashed a sweet smile.

“Hey, Gretch. What a coincidence.”

Noticing my gaze on her, Orlando instinctively stepped in front of her, shielding her.

I knew what he was thinking—he was afraid I’d lose it and hit her, as I had before.

But I didn’t lose my cool. I even held Kristen back when she furiously moved to stand up for me.

I just smiled faintly.

“Yeah. What a surprise.”

Sensing my concession, Carolina smiled even more brazenly.

“I’m so sorry, Gretch. Orly said he’d booked the entire restaurant so we could have the place to ourselves. You might have to eat somewhere else.”

She shook Orlando’s arm, saying coquettishly, “Isn’t that right, Orly? Say something, or Gretch might think I’m targeting her.”

Meeting my indifferent gaze, Orlando hesitated for a moment. But in the end, he gave a short nod.

He didn’t say a word, but his silence spoke louder than anything.

Furious, Kristen rolled up her sleeves, but I gently pressed her arm.

“It’s fine. We can go somewhere else.”

I’d go somewhere without Orlando.

With my move abroad just around the corner, I didn’t want to waste another second arguing with my ex.

After all, like they said—an ex should be dead to you.

The restaurant manager, sensing the situation, stepped forward to flatter Orlando and Carolina. “You two look so deeply in love. It’s truly admirable.”

Hearing that, Orlando turned to look at me, his expression complicated—as if he was wary of what I might say, or maybe curious.

To his surprise, I just took Kristen’s hand, stood up, and walked out without a word—as if I hadn’t heard any of it.

He couldn’t help but stare at my retreating figure, lost in thought.

It wasn’t until Carolina called his name several times—her tone growing impatient—that he finally, reluctantly, looked away.