Chapter 1

I maxed out three credit cards at the sales office, all to give our twenty-year relationship a place to call home.

But right as Leon Harris was about to sign the property title, his hand suddenly stopped. He turned to Ava Quinn, his "sister," who was sobbing beside him, and in his eyes was a tenderness I'd never seen before.

The very next moment, he put Ava's name down as the owner of our house. I was about to speak, but Leon gently covered my mouth with his hand.

He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Nina, Ava has nowhere to go right now. This is just to help her feel better. I'm yours, both body and soul. Don't sweat the small stuff, okay?"

Ava nestled in Leon's embrace, flashing me a smug smile. The crowd was praising Leon for being so devoted and righteous, telling me to be understanding and cherish what I have. I stared at Leon. My last hope for him was gone.

I smiled and pulled my hand away from his grip. "Fine, just as you wish. Let her have it all."

He kissed my forehead, looking genuinely pleased. "That's my good, obedient wife," he said.

On the day we were supposed to get our marriage certificate, I was going to present him with a special gift at the courthouse.

*****

After we left the sales office, Leon opened the car door. He guided Ava into the passenger seat, with his actions practiced and intimate.

Ava leaned into him, holding the property receipt with her name on it. She kept looking up at me with a smug face, trying to get a reaction.

I stood outside the car, holding a bottle of water that I took from the sales office. Leon walked around the front of the car and came over to me. He reached out and smoothed my messy bangs. His fingertips felt warm.

"Nina, don't be mad," he said. He grabbed my hand. Then he opened the back door.

He said, "Ava was crying just now. As you know, she's had a rough life. It's just a house. If it makes her feel secure, we should be gracious about it as her family."

I got in and closed the door.

The heater was on. Ava turned around and said in a sickly sweet voice, "Nina, please don't blame Leon. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have cried because I was jealous during the signing. I'd never thought Leon would give me the house."

Leon started the car and glanced at me in the rearview mirror with a confident smile, like he had everything under control.

"Well, to make it up to you, Nina, let's have seafood tonight. I know you love eating the lobster at that place," Leon said.

The car merged onto the main road. Suddenly, Ava clutched her chest and gagged a little.

"What's wrong?" Leon slowed down and turned to her.

"It's nothing. I just felt a little sick," Ava replied with a frown.

Leon's brow furrowed. He made a U-turn at the next intersection.

"We're skipping seafood," he said.

I stared out the window at the passing streets, saying nothing.

Leon explained, "Nina, your stomach is sensitive anyway, and seafood is too harsh for you. Ava just got back, so let's take her to that home-style restaurant instead. It'll be easier on your stomach."

The car finally stopped outside Ava's favorite restaurant. Inside the box, the dishes arrived quickly. Leon picked up a shrimp and put it into my plate.

He said, "Nina, Ava got carsick earlier. Her hands are still shaky, and she's out of energy. Could you shell a few shrimp for her?"

He said it casually, as if he were talking about the weather. Ava sat across from Leon and chinned up with both hands, waiting for me to serve her. I stared at the shrimp on my plate.

It had been twenty years. Since I met Leon at age five, I never made him peel a shrimp.

He claimed his hands were for big things, not for messy and greasy things. So I learned to peel shrimp one-handed, debone fish, and cook him sobering soup after business dinners.

Leon saw that I wasn't moving, so he reached over and gently tugged my earlobe. It was his go-to move to calm me down.

Leon said, "Why are you acting like a spoiled child? Want me to pamper you? Ava's our guest, and she's a part of our family. You're the hostess, so act like it." He pushed the plate of shrimp toward me.

He said, "Be good, Nina. Peel these for Ava, and don't let her think less of you. Once we're done, I'll take you to the shop. Remember that bag you wanted last time? I'll buy it for you, as a reward for being generous, okay?"

I picked up a shrimp. The shell was hard, and the oil splashed onto my fingertips. I peeled them slowly. One...two...three... The pile of peeled shrimp grew on Ava's plate.

Ava ate one and smiled until her eyes crinkled. "Nina, you're such a good wife. Whoever marries you is so lucky. Right, Leon?" she said.

Leon smiled. His fingers brushed my cheek. His voice dropped into a low and magnetic tone.

He said, "That's who she is. Nina is born to think of others. She's babied me for so long. She feels responsible for making sure everyone around her is treated well. Enjoy it, Ava. This is a treat from Nina."

I finished peeling the last one. My hands were slick with red, greasy shrimp juices. I didn't reach for a napkin. I stood up and walked over to Leon. He thought I was heading to wash my hands, so he stepped aside for me.

Instead, I reached out and wiped my greasy hands down the lapel of his custom-tailored suit, rubbing them in with purpose.

Greasy red stains streaked across the expensive dark gray fabric, bold and impossible to miss. Leon froze in place. Ava's fork fell onto the table.

Having cleaned my hands, I looked at Leon as his expression turned stormy. I smiled and said, "You're right. But from now on, I won't waste time on you anymore."

Leon stared at the greasy mark on his lapel, his eyebrows bunched together. He lowered his voice and hissed, "Nina, what's wrong with you? Everyone's watching. Don't embarrass us."

I sat back down and took a bite of some greens. "You can clean a dirty suit, but you can't wash the filth off a person," I said.