It was an unremarkable day when I sent my husband a photograph of myself with our neighbor’s horse. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

Having volunteered at the stables for some time, I had grown particularly fond of a large black horse named Thunder, who, despite his imposing size, was remarkably gentle.

However, everything changed when my husband viewed the image. He zoomed in, scrutinizing it repeatedly, and then sent a text that was both chilling and unexpected.

“I want a divorce.”

Initially, I assumed it was a joke. But then he called, and the fury in his voice was unmistakable.

“How long has this been happening?” he demanded.

“Wait, what? What are you referring to?” I was bewildered.

“The shadow,” he exclaimed. “The shadow on your back—don’t lie to me.”

It was at that moment I comprehended what he had perceived.