Chapter 2

Megan asked, "Molly, how well do you really know him?"

Barry and I met at a coffee shop.

I was working when he came over and asked, "Could I get to know you?"

He seemed polite, and I was single, so I gave him my number.

As we got to know each other, he told me he managed projects for a company and earned enough to support a family.

He respected my boundaries and treated me well.

So, I agreed to date him.

We were together for two full years.

For most of that time, I thought he was an ordinary office worker.

Then, six months ago, he took me home to meet his family.

I sat in the living room of their mansion, stunned, while a housekeeper served me tea.

I asked why he never told me.

He said, "My mom thinks too many people are after money. She told me not to reveal what we have until I was serious about marrying someone."

I wasn’t comfortable with that.

But we loved each other, so I let it go.

Megan knew all of this.

Before I could answer her question, she went on.

"Molly, someone who tests people like that doesn’t trust them."

"Do you think a family that suspicious will treat you as one of their own just because you passed their test?"

Her words unsettled me. Then my phone lit up again.

[Honey, did you ask about my parents because you found something out?]

[I promise I won’t hide anything from you again. Will you come home and spend some time with me tonight?]

[I don’t mean to pressure you. I just got back from the hospital. I wasn’t going to tell you because I didn’t want you to worry, but I feel awful, and I miss you.]

Barry sent a photo right after.

His hand still had an IV cannula in it, and he held a hospital document dated today.

I suddenly remembered last winter, when my fever reached 103.1°F.

Barry took me to the hospital in the middle of the night and stayed awake while I received an IV.

I spent three days there, and he stayed beside me in the visitor’s chair the entire time.

Now he came home alone from the emergency room and told me he felt sick and wanted me there.

And I sat with Megan, discussing whether he might be a murderer.

The whole thing suddenly felt absurd.

I stood and told Megan, "Every family has a few private matters. This isn’t a big deal."

"We’ve been together for years, and he’s never hurt me. If he wanted to, he had plenty of chances. He wouldn’t need to wait until after the wedding."

Then I hurried downstairs. Barry’s car was already parked outside.

My heart ached when he opened the car door.

His face was pale, and his lips had almost no color. Medical tape covered the IV cannula on the back of his hand, which still rested on the steering wheel.

He smiled when he saw me, then took a small box from the back seat and handed it over.

"Your favorite cupcake. They almost sold out."

I nearly cried.

Even when he felt this sick, he remembered to stop at my favorite bakery across from the hospital.

I wrapped my arms around him.

I felt awful for suspecting him with Megan.

I drove us home.

We watched a show together in bed, and Megan’s warnings slowly faded from my mind.

Later that night, I took a shower.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Barry tip something from a small packet into my glass of water.

It was a white powder.

I froze.

My heart beat faster and faster.

I didn’t want him to know I saw it.

I quietly stepped back into the bathroom, then called out before coming out again. "Honey, I’m done."

Barry smiled and came toward me. He picked up my glass and handed it over as if nothing had happened.

"Have some water."

I looked at the glass but didn’t take it. "I’m not thirsty."

Barry paused. "Don’t you always drink water after a shower?"

I forced a smile.

All I could think about was Megan’s warning that he might be a murderer.

My heart raced.

Then Barry drank the water right in front of me.

"If you don’t want it, I’ll have it."

"But use a different glass later. I have a cold, and I don’t want you to catch it."

I stared at him.

I saw him put something in the water. Why was he fine after drinking it?

Was the white powder harmless?

If it was, why did he add it when he thought I wasn’t looking?

Still confused, I went to bed.

Barry wrapped an arm around me from behind. "Molly, there’s something I think I should tell you."

My whole body tensed.

He continued, "Could you keep your distance from your friend Megan? She’s sent me a lot of messages that were… a little flirtatious."