chapter 23

Months later, I was in my study, buried in paperwork with my morning coffee steaming beside me, when Payton slipped in. She looked flushed and radiant, a soft glow about her that made me smile despite myself.

Ever since that rainy day incident, she’d come back to life—brighter, lighter. She hummed while doing chores, sang off-key in the kitchen, chased me around the house with laughter that echoed through the halls. But beneath it all, a quiet doubt gnawed at me.

Was she truly healing… or just performing happiness for my sake?

She crossed the room and perched on the edge of my desk, facing me. I set the documents aside, propped my elbows on the wood, rested my cheeks in my palms, and studied her with a slow smile.

“What does my wife want this morning?” I teased.

She tilted her head, eyes bright. “Well, husband… I came to talk about something.”

“And that is?”

“Nora told me about a job opening.”

“Hmm. Nora, huh?” I nodded, already sensing where this was headed.

“They’re looking for someone really educated. Someone with experience.”

“Educated,” I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“Richard, please.” She slid off the desk and stepped closer, settling right in front of me so our knees touched. She took both my hands in hers. “This could be good—for both of us. A chance to finally step out into the world again.”

I sighed. “I’ve told you from the beginning, Payton. You don’t need to work. Don’t I give you everything you need?”

“Yes, baby, you do.” She lifted my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles. “But this isn’t about money. It’s about letting go… about distracting ourselves from all the grief we’ve been carrying. You’ve canceled so many business trips because of me. You could finally move freely again, focus on work without worrying I’ll be sitting here alone and bored.”

She drew a slow, steady breath, eyes searching mine.

“Please, Richard. I promise—this could be the best thing for us right now.”

I could see her reasoning. My own business had suffered from my divided attention, and she… she needed air, people, purpose. Maybe getting out there would loosen the knot of sorrow that still lived inside her.

“Hmm.” I studied her face as she squeezed my hands tighter, waiting.

“Okay,” I said at last. “As long as you promise to be a good girl.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, baby—” She threw her arms around my neck, kissed my cheek, then found my lips in a soft, grateful press. “You’re the best husband in the whole wide world.”

She pulled back, already buzzing with excitement. “I have to call Nora right now. Thank you, thank you so much.”

She started toward the door, then paused and turned.

“I love you,” she said, voice quiet but sure.

“I love you too.”

She blew me a kiss and slipped out, practically floating.

I sat there smiling as the door clicked shut behind her. She was right—she needed to meet new people, to live again. And truthfully, I needed the same. Anything to keep my mind occupied.

Because every time I looked at Payton now, I still saw Mia’s reflection staring back at me. The guilt, the ache—it paralyzed me. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to make love to my wife yet. I needed to talk to someone. Anyone. I needed to unload this weight before it crushed what little we had left.

A month later, Payton had settled into her new routine. She usually breezed through the front door by six, full of stories from the office. But tonight it was already eight, and the house felt too quiet.

I tried her phone, heart thudding with worry. She picked up on the second ring.

“Hello babe.”

“Hey, baby. Is everything okay?” she asked

“Just checking on you,” I said, trying to sound casual. “You’re late.”

“I know, sorry. Work ran over—everyone’s scrambling. I’m on my way now. Be home soon.”

Relief washed through me. “Drive safe. I’ll wait up.”

When I heard her car pull into the driveway, I exhaled. I’d already ordered takeout—our favorite Chinese—and was sprawled on the living-room couch, half-watching TV, when the door opened.

“Baby!” I called, mouth full of sesame chicken, jumping up to meet her.

She stepped inside looking tired but beautiful, cheeks flushed from the drive. I pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek softly.

“What took you so long?” I murmured against her skin.

She sighed into my shoulder. “Work’s been insane lately. Everyone’s running around like headless chickens—meetings, deadlines, the usual chaos.”

“Poor thing.” I eased back, studying her face. “You must be exhausted.”

“I am.” Her eyes drifted to the coffee table, where the takeout bags sat waiting. “You ordered food?”

“Yeah. I was too wiped to cook after the office today.” I guided her toward the sofa. “Come on, sit. Eat before it gets cold.”

She dropped onto the cushions with a grateful groan, immediately reaching for the bag. “God, I’m starving.”

She tore into a container, took a big bite, then closed her eyes in bliss. “Wow… this is so good.”

I laughed, sliding down beside her. “Come here—share with me.”

We ate straight from the boxes, trading bites, gossiping about her coworkers, my latest deal, silly office drama. Laughter came easily, the kind that had been rare for too long. It felt… normal. Good.

When we were nearly finished, I cleared my throat.

“Baby… I have to tell you something. I’m flying out tomorrow. Urgent business meeting in Las Vegas.”

Her chopsticks paused mid-air. “Las Vegas? Why Las Vegas?”

I couldn’t help it—I burst out laughing at her sudden, dead-serious expression.

“Richard, why are you laughing?” She narrowed her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched.

“Because you look like you’re about to declare war.” I set my container down. “It’s just a client. A big Latin American investor. He wants me to meet him there, and besides he is going to be a huge help to my business when I partner with him. So please I assure you it's just business and nothing more.”

She crossed her arms. “I don’t trust those Vegas girls. I’m serious, Richard. I don’t want anyone putting their hands on what’s mine.”

I grinned, sliding closer until our thighs pressed together. “Look at me.” I took her hand. “It’s strictly business. And lucky for you, your husband is very, very professional.”

She searched my face, the playfulness fading into something softer, more uncertain.

“Baby… don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do,” she whispered. “But—”

I pressed a gentle finger to her lips. “Shhh. That’s all that matters.”

She held my gaze for a long moment, then leaned in and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Okay.”

Her voice cracked just a little. “This is the first time in forever that you’re traveling again. I’ve gotten so used to having you here every day… I’m going to miss you so much.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. I pulled her closer, one hand stroking her back.

“I’ll miss you too, love.”

“How long?” she asked, voice small.

“Just two days.”

“Two days?” She pulled back, eyes glassy, and let out a dramatic little sob—half pretend, half real. “That feels like forever.”

I laughed softly and pulled her back into my chest, stroking her hair. “I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone. Promise.”

She sniffled, nodding against my shoulder, fingers still tangled in my shirt like she didn’t want to let go.