bChapter /bb9/b.

    Rosalind pulled out her phone and dialed.

    He answered swiftly. “Rosab?/bb” /b

    “Christopher, where are you tight now?”

    b“/bOffice. What’s up?”

    Rosalind watched him in the rearview mirror, his one hand sping Latoya’s, the other holding the phone to his

    car. The irony was almostughable.

    Latoya started to speak, but Christopher raised a hand to stop her.

    He pointed to the phone, then pressed a finger to his lips in a silent ‘shush‘.

    “Rosa, do you want anything from that patisserie in La Porte? I can buy some on my way home.”

    “No need.”

    “But you used to love their matcha petit foursb?/bb” /b

    “Used to,” Rosalind replied. “People change. Things you once adored lose their bappeal/bb./bb” /b

    Christopher’s tone tightened slightly.“Rosa, you sound off. Did something happen?”

    “No. Don’t let me keep you from work.”

    Christopher returned hometer, the box of petits fours in hand.

    He found Rosalind in the study, sorting through old photo albums.

    They had known each other for so long. Their journey stretched from student days deep into adulthood. They had traveled together and shared a life. Just the photo albums chronicling their school years filled four or five volumes.

    Seeing the photos stirred something in Christopher, too.

    He bent behind her, loosely encircling her with his arms. “What brought on the nostalgia trip?”

    Rosalind asked, “You’re home early again?”

    He chuckled softly.“Missed my wife. Came back to keep youpany.”

    Rosalind stacked the albums and ced them in a cardboard box.

    Her fingers closed around the lighter she’d palmed bearlier/bb, /bslipping it unnoticed into her jeans pocket.

    She’d nned to burn these memories while he lingered with his mistress. His early return had disrupted that.

    “Sweetheart, I get the feeling you’re not thrilled I’m home early to be with you?”

    Rosalind stood up, deftly avoiding the arm reaching for her waist.“Work shoulde first.”

    He clung to her.“Work isn’t half as important bas /byou.”

    19:52

    b8.0 /b

     Chapter 9

    He leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear “You’ve been distanttely, Ross. Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me?”

    Once, this closeness was bliss.

    Now, with the seed of betrayal taking root, it felt repulsive.

    The thought of those arms around her waist, arms that had just held another woman, and the lips seeking hers, perhaps having kissed another woman, made her stomach churn, especially when she caught the lingering scent

    on him.

    It wasn’t his usual cologne, but the unmistakable fragrance of a department store perfume counter.

    Who spent hours in a department store?

    The answer was ringly obvious.

    Rosalind shoved Christopher away with surprising force and bolted for the bathroom, retching violently.

    Christopher followed, rubbing her back and handing her ba /btissue. His worried frown seemed genuine. “What brought this on? Bad food? Lizab!/b”

    The housekeeper hurried in.“Sir?”

    “What did she eat for lunch? Was anything off? We hired you specifically to manage her diet and delicate stomach! Why is she suddenly sick?”

    Liza looked bewildered.“Mrs. Foret didn’t eat lunch here, sir. She went out. Perhaps something she ate wasn’t

    fresh?”

    Christopher’s brow furrowed, his voice low with disapproval. “Street food is filthy. Pre–made meals are suspect. If you want something, have Liza make it here. Why go out?”

    Rosalind, still dizzy from vomiting, felt a fresh wave of anger.“Christopher, are you trying to cage me? Do I need permission to leave my house?”

    “I only want to protect you. I worry when you’re out alone. Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll drive you there.”

    Rosalind let out a bitterugh.“Do you have the time?”

    Between running hispany and entertaining his mistress, did he sprout extra limbs?

    Christopher studied her for a moment. He pulled out another tissue, gently dabbing the sweat from her forehead.“What kind of question is that? For you? Always. Rosa, after all these years, surely you know where my

    heart lies?b” /b

    b /bChapter 10.

    Chapter 10.