Chapter 2

The next morning, Eunice came over for Sasha's piano lesson.

Andy had picked her up.

The second they walked in, he took her bag and set it by the couch.

The move was so automatic.

Like he'd done it a hundred times.

I watched from across the room, really seeing her for the first time.

She couldn't have been more than twenty-two. She had that sweet, first-crush kind of face. Her white dress brushed her knees, and little dimples appeared whenever she smiled.

She looked completely innocent.

That was exactly why I'd hired her.

She seemed kind. Harmless.

I trusted her with Sasha, paid her double her usual rate, even invited her to our family gatherings.

I'd practically treated her like my own little sister.

I squeezed my eyes shut, then walked over.

"You two go ahead. I'm running out for groceries."

"Nicole, you really don't have to. That's too much trouble..."

Eunice sounded perfectly polite.

Then I turned away.

She winked at Andy and curled her pinky around his.

He hooked his around hers and gave it a soft squeeze.

So easy. So intimate.

He used to do that with me.

Pain stabbed through my chest.

I pretended I hadn't seen a thing, grabbed my keys, and walked out.

The second I got in the car, I crumpled against the seat.

Cold sweat soaked my clothes. My hands shook so badly, it took three tries to open the smart home app.

I'd never checked the security cameras before.

I'd trusted Andy completely.

The footage loaded.

Eunice's last visit had been Friday.

The exact day I was away on a business trip.

On the recording, Andy sent Sasha into the piano room to practice by herself.

The second she was gone, he pulled out a gift box.

Inside was a swan-shaped vibrator.

"Babe, I got you something. Whenever I'm not around, let this keep you company."

Eunice smiled, tracing a finger down the swan's long neck before lightly tapping Andy's chest with it.

"Why don't you buy one for your wife?"

Andy let out a slow breath, slipped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close.

"Because I only want to use it with you. You're young... and you drive me crazy."

"I don't drive you crazy," Eunice said with a giggle, melting into his arms. She gave the little swan a playful wiggle. "I don't even know how to use this. You can teach me tonight."

Andy sucked in a breath.

Then he pinned her against the couch and kissed her.

My eyes burned.

My ears rang.

The sun beat down without mercy.

But I was freezing, shaking from head to toe.

I couldn't hold it together anymore.

I folded over the steering wheel and sobbed into my arms.

My vision blurred with tears.

I never saw the out-of-control van barreling toward me.

Bang!

The whole car lurched.

The impact threw me forward, then slammed me back into the seat.

Pain ripped through my lower back.

Someone had rear-ended me.

The van's driver jumped out, apologizing over and over.

Gritting through the pain, I called Andy.

He picked up almost instantly.

"What? You were in an accident? Where are you? I'm coming right now!"

After I hung up, I switched back to the live security feed.

Eunice clung to Andy's arm, pouting as she tried to keep him from leaving.

He gently pulled free.

"My wife was in a car accident. I have to go."

Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Babe, stay here and keep Sasha practicing. I'll come back when I'm done."

I'd bruised my lower back.

It wasn't serious.

But it hurt like hell.

The doctor told me to stay in bed for a few days.

When we left the hospital, Andy carried me the whole way.

He eased me into the passenger seat, tucked a cushion behind my back, and kept reminding me not to go into the office.

"I've got it. I'll cook, handle the projects, take care of everything. You just focus on getting better."

A few days ago, that would've melted me.

I would've sworn I had the most thoughtful husband in the world.

Now he just made me sick.

Everywhere his hands touched felt filthy.

I didn't say a word the entire drive.

A few minutes before we got home, Andy's phone rang.

It was our vice president.

He said he'd been trying to reach me, but I wasn't picking up.

Andy answered without missing a beat.

"Ms. Norrington isn't feeling well. Don't bother her with work for the next few days."

I snatched the phone from his hand.

After hearing the vice president out, I made the call.

"Stay on schedule. The second Mr. Taylor arrives tomorrow, sign the contract."

I hung up.

Andy sighed, his voice soft.

"Babe, you don't have to work this hard. We've made enough money to last a hundred lifetimes. Your back still hurts. I hate seeing you like this."

I turned and looked at all that fake concern.

What a joke.

'So now that we're rich, you've got plenty of time to spoil another woman?'

'My back hurts, but it's nothing compared to what you did to my heart.'

'You feel bad for me? Please.'

He kept pretending to care while ripping me apart with his own hands, crushing every ounce of trust I'd ever had in him.

'We had a happy family. Why did you have to ruin it?'

I looked away, watching the streets blur past the window.

"Andy, why do you think my car got rear-ended when it was parked safely on the side of the road?"

He missed the point completely.

With an easy smile, he said, "People get distracted. By the time they notice, it's already too late."

He reached for my hand.

"It's okay. Cars can be fixed. I'll handle everything. You don't need to worry."

I pulled away and lowered my eyes.

Yeah.

A wrecked car could be repaired.

A wrecked marriage belonged in the junkyard.