Chapter 3

Javier came home at 1:00 AM sharp.

He stood outside the closed door of my bedroom for a long time. I laid awake in the dark, listening to the faint sound of his breathing through the wood.

Finally, he knocked softly, whispering, "Nevaeh? Goodnight, baby."

How sweet. How considerate.

The next morning, my phone lit up with two texts.

Javier: [Morning, beautiful. The temperature dropped today, so I pulled your heavy knit sweater to the front of the closet. Don't forget to put it on. I made your favorite seafood soup. It's in the kitchen. I added extra shrimp and…