I was heading on a business trip when my flight was canceled. I came home early and opened the door to a stranger wearing my robe. She smiled and said, ‘You’re the realtor, right?’ I nodded and stepped inside.

“So,” I asked lightly, “how long have you two been married?”

She laughed. “Married? No, we’re engaged. The ring is being resized.”

The hallway seemed to tilt.

She led me toward the bedroom, talking cheerfully about renovation plans and how Ethan thought the place would sell quickly once it was staged properly.

Sell quickly.

On the dresser sat a framed photo of them at the beach, his arm around her waist, both of them smiling into sunlight.

The date on the corner was from last summer.