Chapter 2

Those words stung. My eyes burned. For six years, it wasn't that he couldn't come. He hadn't simply been unlucky.

Every time, he'd chosen someone else, and everyone around me had known.

Michael knew. Chloe knew. Even his assistant knew. I was the only one in the dark.

I was the fool who dressed up every fall equinox and waited for him at Rivergate Pier, defending him and telling myself he hadn't meant to hurt me.

Then someone in the room asked, "Andrew, when are you going to marry Evelyn?"

"Let's wait a little longer," he said.

"Aren't you afraid she'll stop waiting?"

He laughed softly. "She won't."

I laughed, too. He was so certain I wouldn't leave, so certain I'd always come back no matter how low a priority I was to him. I didn't push open the door or storm in to confront them. I turned and went downstairs.

The wind outside had picked up. Mom called. "You're not home yet?"

I watched the cars pass from the hospital entrance. "Mom."

"Yeah?"

"I'll take that job in Southvale."

There was a pause. "I thought you couldn't bear to leave Andrew."

I looked up at the lit windows on the second floor. "I can now."

After I hung up, I deleted the text Andrew had sent: [I won't keep you waiting this time.]

Six years was enough.

The next morning, Mom set the job information for Southvale on my desk. "Your uncle asked around last night. They're looking for a business development manager. You've done similar work, so you'd be a good fit."

I skimmed the papers. The pay was better, and the company could help me find a place to live. Most importantly, Southvale was more than 600 miles away.

Mom sat across from me, studying my face. "Are you sure?"

"I am," I said.

"This isn't because you're mad at Andrew?" Mom asked.

I smiled. "Mom, I'm 28. I'm not going to make a career move out of spite."

She watched me for a few seconds, then stopped asking questions. "Then go."

I called Southvale that day. When they asked when I could start, I said, "As soon as possible."

"Would next Monday work?" the recruiter asked.

"Yes," I said.

After hanging up, I started packing. There wasn't much: clothes, documents, my laptop, and everything Andrew had given me over the years.

I put the necklace, watch, purse, and the camera he'd given me for my birthday last year into a box.

Chloe came by that afternoon. When she saw the suitcase, her face changed. "Evelyn, what are you doing?"

"Packing," I said.

"I can see that. Why?" Chloe asked.

"I'm moving to Southvale."

She stared at me. "For how long?"

"It's a work transfer. I don't know yet."

"Is this because of what happened yesterday?"

I looked up. "What happened yesterday?"

She opened her mouth. "Wasn't Andrew dealing with an urgent work matter?" I asked.

Her face went pale. I looked at her and suddenly felt it was all pointless.

Until last night, I'd considered her one of the people closest to me. She was three years younger and had followed me around since we were children.

I used to stand up for her when others picked on her, and when she graduated, I helped her polish her résumé and find a job.

But she'd helped Andrew lie to me for six years.

"Evelyn..." Chloe said.

"When did you find out about Nina?" I asked.

Chloe looked up sharply. Her eyes reddened. "You know?"

I said nothing. Panic crossed her face. "Please, let me explain. It isn't what you think."

"What is it, then?" I asked.

"Andrew and Nina aren't involved," Chloe said.

I almost laughed. "Did I ask you that?"

Chloe fell quiet.

"When did you find out?" I asked.

She lowered her head. "A long time ago."

"How long?"

"The first fall equinox."

I stopped moving. I'd heard it the night before, but hearing her say it still felt like being stabbed.

"So you knew six years ago?" I asked.

"Evelyn, I didn't mean to keep it from you," Chloe said.

"Then why did you?"

"Andrew said Nina had helped him before. She was alone here and wasn't well. He was afraid you'd get the wrong idea."