Chapter 4

The day after I arrived in Southvale, Andrew showed up. I'd just finished my onboarding and was leaving the office when I saw him waiting outside.

His white shirt was badly wrinkled, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. He looked as if he hadn't slept all night.

He hurried toward me. "Evelyn."

I stopped. "What are you doing here?"

He looked almost offended. "You broke up with me, then disappeared to Southvale without a word. How could I not come?"

"I didn't disappear. I told you I was coming here," I said.

"You said it was a business trip," Andrew said.

"Because you never really listened," I said.

Andrew faltered. A few seconds later, he reached for me. "Let's find somewhere to talk."

I stepped away. He looked at the hand that had come up empty, his expression changing.

When we'd argued before, I never stayed mad for more than half a day. A few soothing words from him, and I'd usually give in. Maybe that's why he still thought I was only upset.

There was a coffee shop nearby. I didn't want to argue outside my office, so I went in.

We sat down. "Did someone tell you something?" Andrew asked.

I looked at him. "What do you think?"

He frowned. "Evelyn, don't listen to gossip."

"Then tell me yourself," I said.

I nodded. "For six years, you never came on the fall equinox. Why?"

He was quiet. I didn't press him. After a while, he broke the silence. "Nina's always had health problems."

So that was it. The last of my hope disappeared.

"Go on," I said.

"She helped me before," he said.

"How?"

"When I was starting my business, things were at their worst. She lent me money and helped connect me with clients."

He looked up. "Later, her parents moved overseas. She was alone here, and she wasn't well. I couldn't just leave her without help."

I nodded. "So, the first year, you took her to the hospital."

"Yes."

"What about the second year?"

"She was in a car accident."

"And the third?"

He said nothing.

"She had a stomach hemorrhage," I answered for him.

Andrew snapped his gaze toward me.

"In the fourth year, a pipe burst in her house. In the fifth, she came down with a fever in the middle of the night. This year, just the day before yesterday, she was hospitalized again," I added.

His expression changed. "How do you know all that?"

I smiled. "You finally thought to ask?"

I looked him in the eye. "Because I was outside the hospital room the night before last."

Andrew went still. "You..."

I watched his face. "I heard everything. You said not to let me find out. You said I'd understand. And you said..."

I paused. "I wouldn't leave."

His face drained of color. "Evelyn, let me explain."

"I am listening," I said.

He opened his mouth, but no words came. "I didn't mean to lie to you," he said quietly at last.

I laughed. "For six years?"

"I was afraid you'd get the wrong idea."

"So you decided I shouldn't know anything?"

"Nothing happened between Nina and me." His voice rose, drawing glances from the other tables.

I stayed silent.

He seemed to realize he'd lost control and lowered his voice. "Evelyn, I admit I handled this badly. But Nina and I aren't involved. I've always loved you. You're the one I want to marry."

If he'd said that before, I might have wavered. Now I was only tired.

"Andrew, did I ever say you slept with her?" I asked.

He froze.