Chapter 3

I looked at Daniel standing between me and the driver’s door.

“You want to decide how you feel about another woman while I wait for your answer at home?”

“I just need some time.”

“You’ve already had plenty. Tonight was only the first time I knew about it.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but a car behind us honked. Daniel finally stepped aside.

I got into my car and locked the doors without waiting for him to say anything else.

At home, I changed out of my dinner dress and placed the ivory name card on the dining table.

Daniel arrived half an hour later.

He removed his coat and went straight to the liquor cabinet. “We’re both angry. Let’s not make any decisions tonight. We can talk tomorrow.”

“We’re talking now.”

His hand stopped beside the bottle.

I gave him two clear choices.

If he wanted to save our marriage, he had to end all personal contact with Elise. Any necessary communication about Peter’s unfinished affairs could remain practical and limited. He also had to attend marriage counseling with me.

If he refused, he had to move out.

Daniel stared at me. “You expect me to abandon her completely?”

“I expect my husband to end his private relationship with a woman he just admitted he loves.”

“Peter was my best friend. Before he died, he asked me to look after Elise.”

“Looking after her didn’t include bringing her to our anniversary dinner and putting her in my seat.”

“She has already lost someone.” Daniel raised his voice. “Now you want to force her to lose someone else?”

For several seconds, I said nothing.

In Daniel’s version of events, Elise losing him would be another tragedy. Me losing my husband was simply the price I was expected to understand.

“I’m not forcing her to lose anyone,” I said. “You’re the one who made her believe she had you.”

Daniel turned away and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You always do this. The second something doesn’t happen your way, you start making rules and backing everyone into a corner.”

“This isn’t a rule. It’s a boundary.”

“I don’t hear a difference.”

“The difference is that you’re free to refuse. You just don’t get to refuse without consequences.”

I went upstairs and pulled his overnight bag from the closet.

I packed several changes of clothes, his toiletries, and a phone charger.

Daniel followed me into the bedroom and watched as I zipped the bag shut.

“You’re really throwing me out?”

“I gave you two choices. You already made yours.”

“I never agreed to leave.”

“You didn’t agree to stop seeing her, either.”

He stood in the doorway without denying it.

I left the bag at the foot of the stairs, returned to the bedroom, and closed the door.

A few minutes later, I heard Daniel speaking quietly downstairs.

He thought I couldn’t hear him.

“She gave me an ultimatum.” He paused. “No, I’m not going to abandon you. Tonight wasn’t your fault.”

I wrapped my hand around the doorknob but stayed where I was.

I couldn’t make out Elise’s response.

After a moment, Daniel spoke again, sounding certain of himself.

“She’ll calm down. Hannah always makes room for everyone in the end.”

I opened the bedroom door and stood at the top of the stairs.

“Not this time.”