Chapter 6

With six days left before his departure, Dorian submitted his resignation to the university.

Dorian had previously turned down Professor Whitcomb's invitation to continue research in his lab, choosing instead to stay in Ellerton with Marielle and teach at the university. Dorian had turned it down to follow Marielle to Ellerton and take a teaching position. Now he was finally leaving that job behind.

His colleagues were surprised.

"Why are you resigning, Professor Halberg?" one asked.

Another teased him, "You were handing out wedding favors just a few days ago. Are you quitting to become a stay-at-home husband? Marielle's a lucky woman."

Dorian smiled as he picked up his belongings.

"No. The wedding's been canceled."

When he reached home, he found Marielle and Elias sitting together on the couch. It was the first time he'd seen her in a week.

Marielle noticed the box in his arms. "What's all that?"

"Just things I wasn't using at work anymore," he said.

She nodded, then looked around. "Why does the apartment seem emptier? I've only been gone a week."

Dorian carried his box toward the bedroom. "I got rid of some unnecessary junk."

She opened her mouth, but Elias cut in.

"Dorian, Marielle worked so hard taking me on that trip. And thank you for agreeing to let us use the wedding photographer. You helped me fulfill another dream. I want to treat you both to dinner. I'll probably need to rely on you for a while longer, and I hope you don't mind."

His eyes held a deliberate challenge.

Elias was clearly frustrated. He'd sent Dorian the pregnancy report and watched Marielle spend a week at his side, yet Dorian hadn't confronted either of them.

Dorian refused to play along. In five days he'd disappear from their lives. He needed that time to finish his preparations, not indulge in pointless rivalry.

When he didn't answer, Elias looked wounded.

"Marielle, is Dorian upset? I know you're getting married, but I thought..."

Marielle frowned at once.

"Elias is trying to thank us. Why are you making a face? It's only dinner. Nobody's going to poison you. You're coming."

Dorian hadn't said a word, but she'd already decided he was in the wrong.

She dragged him to the restaurant.

As soon as the waiter approached, Marielle ordered, "Nothing too oily or spicy, please. And no cilantro in any of the dishes."

When the food arrived, she carefully served Elias first, then pushed a plate of shrimp toward Dorian.

"Elias can't have seafood right now, so I ordered these specially for you."

Dorian put down his fork.

"I'm allergic to shellfish."

Five years together, and she didn't know about his allergy. She could remember Elias's smallest food preferences, right down to his dislike of cilantro, but not something that could send her own fiancé to the hospital.

For a moment she looked blank. Then guilt flickered across her face. She ordered several replacement dishes, but Dorian ate none of them. He sat quietly, drinking water.

Outside the restaurant, Natalie called again.

"Professor Whitcomb wanted me to confirm one last time. The first project involves classified research. Under the normal schedule, you could be completely out of contact for a year or two. You're certain you don't want the leave arrangement?"

Dorian watched Marielle walk beside Elias. As she stepped down from the curb, one hand moved protectively over her stomach.

"I'm certain."

"Good. Professor Whitcomb was worried you couldn't bear being away from your wife."

Dorian turned in the opposite direction.

"There won't be a wife. The wedding is canceled. I'm ready to leave."

A puzzled voice sounded behind him.

"Who's leaving?"