Chapter 2

Around noon the next day, I heard the front door unlock while I was sitting at the dining table drinking milk.

Derrick walked in carrying a black duffel bag. He was wearing the same light gray coat from the day before, and his hair was slightly messy, as though he'd been rushing around all morning.

"Why are you home?"

I set my glass down, keeping my voice even.

"I got permission to leave the recovery center for a few hours. I needed some clean clothes."

He changed his shoes and strode toward me.

As soon as he got close, I caught a faint scent that had nothing to do with the cologne he normally wore.

It was subtle, but I knew exactly what it was. Baby powder.

"Why are you eating lunch so late?" Derrick asked.

He reached for my hair out of habit, but I turned my head before his hand could touch me.

His fingers paused in midair. A second later, he pulled his hand back and smiled.

"Is all the wedding stuff wearing you out? You look tired."

He sat across from me, and his gaze drifted toward the coffee table. Several brochures from the wedding photography studio were lying there beside the baby shoes.

His eyes stopped on the shoes.

"What's with those?"

He pointed at the coffee table, but I could hear the caution in his tone.

"I saw them while I was shopping yesterday and thought they were cute."

I lifted my glass and took another sip. "They're for a coworker who just had a baby."

"Oh, I see."

The tension left his face immediately, and even his shoulders relaxed.

Then, almost as if he'd just remembered something, Derrick asked, "By the way, why didn't you stop by the recovery center yesterday? The security guard said he never saw you."

He tried to make it sound like idle conversation, but he was watching me too closely.

"Didn't you tell me not to wear myself out?"

Before he could answer, I looked him in the eye.

"I went to the bridal studio instead and canceled the wedding photography package."

Derrick stared at me. "You canceled it? Why? We already planned the shoot in Stelton."

"It was too expensive."

I lowered my gaze to the milk in my glass. "50 thousand dollars for wedding pictures doesn't make sense when we'll have plenty of other expenses later."

He was quiet for a moment before sighing.

"Tiffany, you're always so sensible."

Then, he stood, came around the table, and rested his hands on my shoulders.

"It's fine if you've canceled it. I know you're trying to save money, but I'm sorry you're the one having to give things up. Once I'm done at the center, I'll take you to Mardor, and we'll do the pictures there instead. Deal?"

His voice was impossibly gentle.

I didn't respond.

I was still looking at the table when my phone screen lit up with a bank notification.

Derrick had transferred 100 thousand dollars to me.

"Keep it," he said, giving my shoulder a light pat. "Buy yourself something decent to eat and quit cutting corners on everything. Just keep the wedding plans moving until I'm back."

A glance at his watch changed his entire demeanor.

"I should go. They're strict about rounds over there, and if I'm gone too long, the doctor will be on my case."

He hurried into the bedroom, threw a few clothes into his duffel bag, and came back out almost immediately. "I'm leaving. Take care of yourself, okay?"

The door shut behind him, and the apartment went quiet again.

I picked up my phone and looked at the transfer.

100 thousand dollars.

Maybe Derrick thought money would make him feel less guilty. Maybe he thought it would keep me busy planning our wedding.

Either way, I accepted it.

I went on Central Hospital's payment portal and used part of the money to cover the procedure and my recovery expenses. Everything left over went into a bank account I rarely touched.

He owed me that much.

Afterward, I walked over to the coffee table and picked up the baby shoes. They were so small and light that I could barely feel their weight in my hands.

I carried them to the trash and dropped them in with the takeout containers from the night before.

Then, I changed into a loose black coat, grabbed my ID and insurance card, and left the apartment.

The afternoon sun was bright, making my eyes sting as soon as I stepped outside.

I hailed a cab and got in. "Central Hospital, please."