Chapter 4

Once I was frozen, he got to start a new life with everyone's blessing.

And the child I delivered was right there for the new wife to raise as her own, so she never had to suffer through a pregnancy at all.

The sweetness in her face gave way to a trace of loneliness.

"Honestly, if I hadn't met Vito, I don't know what I would have done.

"My father was a made man in the family. He was killed by an accident in the middle of a job. The Don paid for me to finish college, then brought me back to work as a photographer and shoot for everyone.

"Even after I came back, nothing seemed to go right for me. It wasn’t until I met Vito that my life finally began to improve.

"He really is a great researcher. He pulled off a miracle nobody had managed before."

She seemed to still be somewhere in the memory, and the room went quiet.

A miracle.

My chest was so tight I could barely pull air through it.

That miracle had never been his alone.

And only two people alive knew the truth behind it.

A run of laughter broke the silence as the boy came back into the living room in his play clothes and glued himself to Nora's leg.

Nora shook off the memory and patted him, smiling. "Sullivan, be good. Go play with the dog for a bit and let Mamma talk to our guest."

He leaned up and pecked her cheek. "Okay! Mamma's the best!"

Her whole face creased with the smile.

I turned away and didn't dare look any longer, terrified I wouldn't be able to hold back what was already rising.

Dusk poured in through the windows, and a violet-gold light lay across the floor like a wound that had split open.

Seven whole years. I had missed the first time he rolled over, the first time he walked, the first time he said "Mamma."

The kisses and the small clinging affection he gave Nora were supposed to be mine.

And here I sat, an uninvited stranger.

The boy caught me watching him, and his eyes went wary all at once, like a wolf cub standing over its food.

"Are you another one of the bad ladies who wants to steal my papa?"

I froze. I couldn't believe what I'd heard.

"I heard Mamma say it to Mrs. DeSantis next door. Women are always trying to get their hands on my papa."

He said it like he was reciting a case.

"Well, I'm telling you it's not happening. My papa only loves my mamma.

"Even that old wife my papa used to have knew to die early so my mamma could have her spot."

Nora gave his ear a light pinch.

"Sullivan. That's not polite."

She didn't actually discipline him. She just laughed and steered him toward the garden.

"Go on. Buddy's waiting for you."

He made a face at me and ran off.

I watched him go, and my chest filled with crushed ice, with a cold wind pouring in through every gap.

Nora laughed. "Kids say things without knowing what they mean. Don't take it to heart."

I shook my head and managed something like a smile. "It's fine."

That was when the front door opened and Vito's voice carried in, warm with good humor.

"Nora, I'm home.

"The underboss heard one of the patients came by to thank me and came along. He wants to see what she looks like now."

His voice broke off.

I stood up slowly and turned around.

The moment our eyes met, every trace of color drained out of Vito's face. There was a storm behind his pupils and his lips shook, but not one syllable made it out.

Behind him came a man's easy, good-natured voice.

"Vito, this is your patient? It's unbelievable. She's in this kind of shape after revival? The trial was a real success."

Nora went to greet him. "Welcome, sir. Please, come sit down.

"Vito, why are you just standing there? Say something."

I looked at Vito, and a bitter smile pulled slowly at my mouth.

"Surprised to see me, my dear husband?

"Your dead wife came all this way to see how well you've been doing."