Chapter 4

When I woke, Ethan was gone.

A note waited beside the coffee maker.

Two-day business trip. Don't wait up.

I checked the shared inbox. His boarding pass had arrived at 6:14 a.m.

I called Diane.

"It's Ethan's birthday," I said. "He's working in Fairmont, but I thought we could surprise him. I've arranged transportation. If any of the family is free, bring them. It might be good for all of us to get out of the city."

"Oh, honey, that's wonderful. He works too hard."

"He certainly does."

By eight, Owen had parked a black company van outside my house. Ethan's parents arrived with his aunt, uncle, and two cousins. Diane carried a wrapped watch. His father brought a bottle of bourbon Ethan had been saving for a special occasion.

During the drive, they talked about Ethan's childhood, his first computer, and how proud they were of him. I sat in the front passenger seat and watched the highway unwind beneath a pale winter sky.

Owen didn't ask why we were going.

He only said, "The card statements list an apartment on West Briar Avenue. Unit 6B."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Blake told me that if you ever came back to the office and started asking questions, I should answer them honestly."

I turned to him. "Adrian told you that?"

"A month ago. Before he left."

I wanted to ask more, but Diane leaned between the seats.

"Claire, do you think Ethan suspects anything?"

"Not a thing."

We reached Fairmont after dark. West Briar Avenue ran through a neighborhood of converted brick warehouses and expensive new apartments. Lights glowed in the sixth-floor windows.

At the entrance, a delivery driver handed me the cake and wine I had ordered under my name.

There were eight pairs of shoes outside Unit 6B. Men's loafers. Women's boots. A pair of running shoes. Two sets of children's sneakers.

"He invited clients," Diane whispered. "You see? He really is working."

I pressed the doorbell.

Music played inside. Someone laughed. Then a woman's voice called from the other side of the door.

"Honey, can you get that? It should be the cake."

"I've got it," Ethan answered.

Behind me, every member of his family went still.

The deadbolt turned.

Ethan opened the door.

For one second he smiled automatically. Then he saw me, the cake, and his parents gathered in the hall.

His face emptied.

I lifted the box between us.

"Surprise."

He reached for the door.

I planted my foot against it.

The cake box crushed between the door and the frame. White frosting burst across the wood and streaked Ethan's sleeve.

"Claire," he said under his breath. "What are you doing?"

I smiled at him.

"I found the love of your life."

From the living room, the woman called again.

"Ethan? What happened?"

He looked over his shoulder.

"Stay there, Vanessa."

That was all his mother needed to hear.

"Vanessa?" Diane said.

The watch slipped from her hands and hit the hallway floor.