Chapter 3

Kieran arrived the next day with a toy large enough to block the hospital doorway.

He still didn't know how many times Noa had convulsed.

He walked into the hospital room at ten in the morning.

He brought two large shopping bags. They were full of expensive toys.

He touched Noa's forehead. His frown disappeared.

"See? I told you," he said. He sat down. "She is fine at the hospital. Kids get fevers all the time. You just panicked."

I packed the medical supplies. I did not argue.

This was his classic excuse. If a disaster was fixed, his absence did not matter.

The doctor came in and checked Noa.

"She is stable. You can take her home today."

Kieran stood up. He took out his car keys.

"Wait thirty minutes. I will pay the bill and drive you home."

"The bill is paid," I said. "I paid it last night."

I looked right at him. "Before six. With the child seat and everything still in it."

He looked relieved to have something simple to answer.

"Of course."

I held his gaze.

"Six, Kieran."

"I heard you."

The car was mine. He had borrowed it because of the forecast.

The spare medicine supplies, blankets, and proper child seat were still inside.

Returning it was the least he could do.

I took a taxi home with Noa at one o'clock.

The house was quiet.

I put Noa in the master bedroom. I pulled out two black suitcases.

I packed quickly.

I took Noa's passport, birth certificate, and medical records.

I took my passport, the deed to my downtown apartment, and my bank documents.

I packed enough clothes for a week.

Noa watched me fold her clothes.

"Are we going somewhere?"

"Somewhere warm with Grandma."

At five, Tessa confirmed the apartment keys had been collected. The driver would return after six.

I had already arranged our departure.

I wasn't making it depend on Kieran.

Still, I looked toward the window when a car slowed outside.

It passed.

At six, I checked my phone.

No message.

I finished fastening Noa's bag.

At six fifteen, a voice message arrived.

"Livia's heater is broken. It is freezing. I took her to a hotel."

"I left the car at her hotel while the building manager checked the heating. I will pick it up later tonight."

"You and Noa are already home safely. Don't fight with me over little things."

I played it once.

Then I saved it.

He had said six while standing beside our daughter's hospital bed.

Now her child seat was going to a hotel with someone else.

I didn't reply.

I placed the signed draft on the table. Tessa had explained the legal steps still ahead.

Beside it, I left my ring and a copy of the emergency report.

I stopped sharing my location.

Then I picked up Noa.

She pressed her face into my neck. Her hair smelled of hospital soap.

The private driver took my bags. I put Noa in the car.

Last night, I had called Kieran seventeen times before trying once more.

Tonight, I didn't call him at all.

I shut the car door.

My phone remained silent.

He was still expecting an argument when he came home.

On the dining table, my ring rested over the time printed on Noa's emergency report.

He hadn't read it properly yet.

He would have to now.