Chapter 2

It was past two in the morning when the front door clicked open.

Lucas dropped his briefcase when he saw me on the balcony.

He draped his wool coat over my shoulders, led me inside, and placed a small box in my hand.

Inside was the silver watch I had mentioned months ago.

"I know I ruined our anniversary," he said, resting his cheek against my hair. "I don’t expect you to forget it. I wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten."

His regret was real.

He simply believed that a sincere apology and a better next time would always be enough to keep me beside him.

For the rest of the week, Lucas made a visible effort.

He left the office early and kept his phone tucked away, watching for some sign that I had forgiven him.

During that week, I went alone to my first prenatal appointment. I left with a small ultrasound photo that Lucas still knew nothing about.

When Saturday morning arrived, the kitchen smelled of coffee and toast. Lucas had made breakfast. In front of me, he held down the power button on his phone until the screen went black.

"I canceled every meeting," he said. "Today is just about us. We can see that movie you’ve been wanting to watch."

My phone lit up beside my plate.

AUDREY — DO NOT BOOK.

Saturday number twenty-three.

For a moment, my heart softened. My fingers touched the edge of the ultrasound photo in my pocket. I thought this might finally be the day I told him we were starting a family.

Then the doorbell rang.

Melanie stood on the porch beside eight-year-old Sam. The boy wore a bright green sports jersey and held an identical adult-sized one against his chest. Across both shirts were the words: Private Oak School — Father and Son Relay.

Lucas froze.

Melanie saw me in the kitchen. "I didn’t know you had plans," she said. "We’ll go."

She touched Sam’s shoulder. The boy lowered his head and turned away, still hugging the adult jersey.

Lucas dragged a hand down his face. "Audrey, it’s a partner race. They won’t let him run without an adult."

My hand released the ultrasound photo. "And what did you promise me today?"

"I know." He came back toward me. "It’s only a couple of hours. I’ll run the race and come straight back. I swear."

He did not wait for my answer. He took the green jersey from Sam and pulled it over his head. Then he left with them.

Two months earlier, Lucas had signed the permission form and promised to be Sam’s partner. He had forgotten that the race fell on a Saturday he had already promised to me.

Noon became three. Three became dinner time. By sunset, the living room was dark.

I put the ultrasound photo safely inside my purse, took my keys, and drove to Miriam’s office.

She set two documents on her desk. The first would end Lucas’s authority to manage my personal interests in Blake Living on my behalf.

"Are you certain?" Miriam asked.

"End his authority."

"Do you want to sell?"

"No. I only want what belongs to me back under my own name."

The second document was the divorce petition. I signed Audrey Blake at the bottom.

"File it?" Miriam asked.

"Not yet."

Outside the office, I opened a contact I had not used in years. Helen Grant was my old design partner.

Helen. Can we talk tomorrow?

I pressed send.

Lucas returned late that night, still wearing the green jersey.

"I’m sorry it took all day," he said as he reached for me. "Sam’s team won a medal, and he wouldn’t let go of my hand during the awards dinner. But next time, Audrey, I’m all yours."

I stepped out of his embrace and looked at my phone. The original reminder remained on the date he had given away.

AUDREY — DO NOT BOOK.

He had turned off his phone that morning. He had still spent the entire day with Sam.

Saturday Twenty-Three was over. There was only one Saturday left.