Eventually I stopped asking.
That should have frightened me.
Instead, I told myself seventeen years of marriage had simply become quieter.
Then came the Tuesday that changed everything.
Adrian had left early and forgotten the lunch I packed for him.
Ridiculous, considering how rarely I packed lunches anymore.
He had mentioned a board presentation, and for reasons I still cannot fully explain, I decided it might be nice to surprise him.
I bought coffee from the café he liked.
Added two sandwiches.
Drove into Bellmere.
Blackwood Logistics occupied thirty-eight floors of a tower that had Adrian’s photograph displayed in the lobby beside a quote about integrity.
I almost laughed later when I remembered that.
The receptionist recognized me.
“Mrs. Vale.”
“Claire is fine.”
“Mr. Vale is upstairs.”
“I know.”
She started reaching for the phone.
I smiled.
“Don’t tell him. I’m surprising him.”
She hesitated.
Only slightly.
That should have warned me.
Then she gave me a temporary access badge.
I took the elevator to the executive floor.
Adrian’s assistant outside his office was not Vanessa. It was a young man named Owen who looked alarmed when he saw me.
“Mrs. Vale.”
“Hi, Owen.”
“Mr. Vale is…”
He stopped.
“Busy?”
