Chapter 3

At seven that night, Lucas texted me: [Emergency surgery tonight. I probably won't be home till after midnight.] I stared at the message and, for some reason, opened my closet.

I picked a wine-red spaghetti-strap dress I'd bought before marriage and never got the chance to wear. Lucas had always said it was too short and I'd catch cold in it. Ha.

While doing my makeup, I opened a drawer to look for lipstick and realized one of my usual shades was missing. I dug around for ages and still couldn't find it. What I did notice, though, was an empty spot in the corner, like a few pieces of my lingerie were gone too.

Weird. Lately I'd kept feeling like things were missing from my closet, but I hadn't thought much of it. Maybe they'd gotten ruined in the wash and I'd tossed them?

After I finished my makeup, I turned once in front of the mirror. Collarbones, shoulders, waistline - everything that should've been there was there. And suddenly I got annoyed. With a figure like this, how was nobody appreciating it? Just before I left, Lucas walked over carrying a mug of warm milk.

"No, thanks. I'm in a hurry."

"It's cold outside. Drink something warm first. It'll be easier on your stomach."

I took the mug, drank it down in a few swallows, and handed it back. When I wiped my mouth, I caught him staring at my dress for two seconds. His eyes darkened, but the look was gone almost immediately. "Come home early," he said.

"Mm." That was all I gave him. I stared at him for a few seconds, tossed my phone into my bag, and slammed the door behind me on the way out.

The party was at a private club downtown, and there were way more people there than I'd expected. The second Sophie saw me, she let out a whistle. "Damn. You look like you're gearing up for war."

"Cut the crap." I downed a glass of champagne. "Where are those 'conveniently single' elite guys you mentioned?"

"Why the rush?" Sophie looped her arm through mine. "Eat something first. Drinking on an empty stomach hits you fast."

I ignored her and knocked back another glass. By the third one, someone came over to hit on me.

He worked in investments and introduced himself as Mr. Bennett. He was decent-looking, with a bright smile and an easy way of talking. We went from polar ice caps to Bitcoin, and the conversation never hit a lull.

By the fourth glass, I was already starting to feel floaty. Weird. I'd only had a few drinks. Maybe it was because I hadn't eaten. "Are you married?" Mr. Bennett suddenly asked.

I lifted the hand with my ring and gave it a little shake. "Yep."

He glanced at the ring and smiled. "Your husband must be pretty secure."

"What do you mean?"

"He let you come somewhere like this alone." He jerked his chin toward the bar. "At least three guys over there have been watching you for half an hour."

I followed his gaze and, sure enough, a few men were looking our way. "I didn't come alone. My best friend is..." I turned my head and realized Sophie was already gone.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from her: [Girl, I bailed first. Have fun! Remember, create a sense of crisis! Don't actually cheat!] I stared at the message and threw back another drink.

By the fifth glass, I was having trouble standing straight. Mr. Bennett politely steadied my arm and asked if I wanted to find a seat somewhere. I had just opened my mouth when my phone rang again. Lucas.

I picked up. The other end was very quiet. "Where are you?" His voice was flat, unreadable.

"Having dinner with Sophie. Didn't I tell you that?"

"Sophie just called me. She said you're not with her."

Half my buzz vanished on the spot. "She... maybe remembered wrong. We're at..."

"Emma," he cut in. His voice was still level, but every word sounded like it had been soaked in ice water. "Where are you right now?"

I took an instinctive step back and bumped straight into Mr. Bennett's chest. "Careful." Mr. Bennett caught me by the shoulder. The line went silent.

Three seconds later, Lucas said, "Stay right there. Don't move." Then he hung up. I looked down at my phone and saw that he'd sent a location-sharing request.