Chapter 8 · On Our Fifth Anniversary, My Husband's Ex Got the Honeymoon Suite I Booked

Chapter 8

Daniel’s POVNora didn’t answer my message about the gift.I closed the jewelry box and tucked it into an inside compartment of my suitcase.She’d mentioned liking a necklace from that brand. The airport’s duty-free store hadn’t carried it, so I’d asked the hotel to contact a boutique and paid extra for delivery.Once I gave it to her, she would probably calm down.Rachel sat on the terrace.“What time are we leaving for the airport tomorrow?” she asked, turning toward me.“Ten.”She set down her juice.“Can’t we stay another couple of days? It’s nicer here than at home.”I zipped my suitcase.“I have work.”I could have joined the meetings remotely.But for two days, Nora had sent me nothing except information about charges and cancellations.When I traveled before, she always asked when I’d land.Whether she should save me dinner.I opened our messages.My offer of a gift was still the last one.“Is she still upset?” Rachel asked as she came inside.“She’ll get over it in a few days.”“Would it help if I explained?”“No.”I answered too quickly.She stopped, her smile fading.I softened my voice.“More explaining will only make it worse.”She nodded and went to pack her makeup.I looked at the vase beside the bed.The white roses were starting to droop.Nora had taken the card.She’d said she was the one who paid for the room.It wasn’t as if I couldn’t afford it.I just didn’t think changing rooms justified ruining the whole vacation.At checkout the next morning, the manager placed two statements in front of me.“Please review the additional room and the charges incurred after that.”I saw the charge for Building B and took out my credit card.“Put everything on mine.”“Nora has already settled her personal charges. Refunds for the canceled activities have been issued to her original payment method.”He pointed to a line and waited for me to confirm it.I felt a sudden flare of irritation.She’d separated everything so neatly.As if we were strangers who happened to be traveling together.The manager brought out another form.“There’s also an outstanding anniversary order. The cake hasn’t been made yet. Would you still like it?”“What cake?”“Nora ordered it to be served with dinner. The restaurant wasn’t able to reach her to confirm the arrangements, so it was put on hold.”From the entrance, Rachel called, “The car’s here.”I checked the time and pushed my credit card forward.“Cancel it. We’re leaving.”“Of course. There’s also a card included—”“We don’t need that, either.”He put away the form.I signed, took my receipt, and hurried toward the door.Once we were in the car, I texted Nora.“I’ll be home this afternoon. Let’s have dinner tonight.”More than ten minutes passed before she answered.“Don’t plan dinner for me.”I stared at the screen and called.It rang a few times.Then she declined it.“I’m busy. Text me if you need something.”Rachel glanced over.“She didn’t answer?”“She gets like this when she’s working.”Only after saying it did I remember Nora had taken time off for this trip.I sent another message.“Are you back at work?”No answer.I opened our grocery delivery app, planning to order ingredients for some of her favorite dishes.A notice appeared beneath our address.This week’s recurring delivery has been canceled.Nora handled those things.I didn’t even know how often we got milk delivered.I closed the app and texted her.“Is there any food in the house?”She still hadn’t answered when we boarded.After landing, I didn’t ask about dinner again.I had the driver drop Rachel off first, then take me home.When the elevator reached our floor, I took out my keys.With my other hand, I reached into my bag and found the jewelry box.I unlocked the door and switched on the entryway light.Nora’s white sneakers were missing from the shoe rack.

Chapter 8