Chapter 10.

    “Where did his heart truly lie? Split down the middle? I couldn’t fathom it,” she thought.

    “Oh!” Liza suddenly eximed, pping her hands with delight.“Mrs. Foret’s been moodytely, and now this sickness… Could it be you’re pregnant?”

    Christopher froze, then his face lit up with pure tion.“Rosa, are you…”

    “No,” Rosalind cut him off tly. “It was just a bad smell. Made me nauseous.”

    “We should still get checked…”

    “Christopher!” Rosalind snapped, her voice low and sharp.“Have you touched me once in thest three months? Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

    The absurdity of it struck her.

    For months, Christopher had rarely been home for meals, iming business dinners.

    She hadn’t thought much of it. A man in his position was constantly courted.

    Then, one day, while she was watching TV, a line jumped out.

    “If a man isn’t hungry when he gets home, he probably ate elsewhere.”

    That simple phrase ripped open a brutal truth: Time meant nothing to fidelity. People changed. The love they’d shared was real then. His feelings for someone else were real now.

    Christopher’s expression darkened. “So that’s why you’ve been upset. Rosa, I’m sorry. Work has been insane. I’ve neglected you. I promise, starting tonight, I’ll be home for dinner. Every night. Okay?”

    “Not necessary,” Rosalind said coldly. “Don’t let me interfere with your priorities.”

    “Don’t be like that, Rosa.”

    “Am I, Christopher? Am I just being difficult?”

    Christopher’s gaze flickered away, evasive.“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

    Rosalind’s eyes locked onto his wrist.

    There, a simple red braided cord served as a bracelet. It bore no gems, no diamonds, possessing only a in, rustic charm.

    The craftsmanship appeared slightly crude, clearly handmade.

    A single small charmy against the cord, a delicate crescent moon.

    Christopher noticed her sight. He exined, “Oh, that? Easter’sing up. HR handed them out. Everyone in the office got one.”

    Rosalind looked away.“Is that so?”

    “Do

    you like it? I can have HR get you one tomorrow.”

    “No. I don’t like wearing jewelry.”

    19:52

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    b /bChapter 10.

    Meri

    Christopher nodded. “I know. You hate feeling restricted. Nes, bracelets, rings, earrings… none of it. Makes birthdays and anniversaries impossible.”

    “There is one thing I want.”

    He leaned in, eager. “What? Anything. Name it.”

    “I want to buy a minor. Name it after meb./b”

    Christopher grinned, pulling out his phone.“Easy. I’ll have Joshua handle it right…”

    “No need. I’ve already found one. The paperwork’s ready. Just needs your signature for the bank transfer.”

    Christopher nodded. “Where do I sign? I’ll do it now.”

    “It’s not urgent. They’ll mail the documents. I’ll bring them to you then.”

    “Alright.”

    Rosalind said, “I need to change. Could you give me a moment?”

    Christopher chuckled.“After all these years? There’s nothing I haven’t seen.”

    “I prefer privacy when I change.”

    He pressed a kiss to her forehead, radiating indulgent affection.“Whatever you want, sweetheart. I’ll be waiting in the dining room. Don’t take too long.”

    “Mmm.”

    Christopher left. Liza followed.

    Alone, Rosalind pulled out her phone and opened Instagram.

    The first post was Latoya’s.

    “I like the moon and itspanion star, ever–present, ever–bright. Today I almost lost you. Thankfully, someon special was there to bring you back to me.”

    The photo showed Latoya’s famously beautiful hands.

    Around one wrist was a nearly identical rough red cord bracelet. The charm dangling from it was a star, the perfect match to Christopher’s crescent moon.

    Rosalind picked up the box of photo albums. One by one, she set fire to them. When only ashes remained, she swept the gray kes into the toilet and flushed them away.

    Chapter 11.

    bChapter /bb11/b.