Chapter 4

When I woke up, Daniel wasn't in the room.

I figured he'd gone to headquarters.

So I started packing.

When I took the suitcase out of the closet, the sight of what was inside cut deep.

If I remembered right, I'd packed this suitcase five years ago, when Daniel said he'd take me to see the northern lights.

But I'd never used it... not even once.

I emptied the suitcase and tossed everything aside.

Just then, Daniel came in and slid his arms around my waist. "Where are you off to?"

I forced a small smile. "Didn't you say you'd take me to see the northern lights? I'm getting a head start on packing."

Daniel's arms suddenly tightened around my waist, and he turned me to face him. "Lucia, we probably can't go this year either. There's a problem with a weapons shipment. I have to leave for Kenya today, and headquarters is going to be swamped at the end of the year..."

His voice trailed off.

He sighed and held me tighter, as if he couldn't get close enough. "Next year, I'll take you for sure. Okay?"

Next year?

Daniel, we're never going to take that trip together.

I gave a little smile. "It's fine."

This time, I didn't make a scene. I didn't get angry.

My reaction seemed to throw Daniel. He froze for a long moment, then leaned in until his nose touched mine. "Are you mad?"

"No." I pushed him away and put the suitcase back in the closet.

Then Rosa knocked on the door. "Don, Donna, Ms. Marino is here."

Daniel and I went downstairs together.

Talia came over with a smile and nudged Renzo toward me. "Lucia, my company's sending me on a business trip. Could you watch Renzo for a few days?"

A business trip, right now?

That was a little too convenient.

I was about to say no when Daniel put an arm around my shoulders and murmured in my ear, "Didn't you say yesterday you wanted a baby? Lucia, I thought about it all night. I won't let you risk your life having one for me. But if you really want a child, we could adopt."

My chest tightened. So he'd rather adopt someone else's child than have one with me?

No. That wasn't it. He'd been planning all along to have me raise Talia's child. That was why he wanted me to look after Renzo.

"But before we adopt, you could practice by taking care of Renzo for a bit. Get used to being a mom."

Before I could say a word, Daniel told Talia I'd do it.

After Talia left, Daniel kissed my forehead. "Don't push yourself. If you get tired, let Rosa watch him. Wait for me to come home."

Then he left too.

I immediately pulled out my phone and opened Talia's Facebook page.

She had posted a picture just three minutes earlier.

It showed her and Daniel holding hands, their fingers laced together.

The caption read, "Dropped off the little third wheel. Finally some alone time with my husband."

In the comments, someone asked where she was going.

She replied, "To see the northern lights."

I thought it would hurt. Instead, I felt nothing. Not even a flicker.

"Aunt Lucia, I'm hungry. I want the pancakes you made me before." Renzo wrapped his little hand around mine.

I stood still, thinking I should push him away.

But one look at his innocent little face, and I softened.

What had the child ever done wrong?

I went into the kitchen and made Renzo pancakes.

In a daze, I thought back to the first time I'd met Renzo and how sweet Daniel had been with him.

The signs had been there all along.

It was my fault for trusting him so much. It had never once crossed my mind that he might betray me.

Just then, the cemetery office called. "Ms. Capello, your reburial request has been approved. You can come collect your daughter's ashes..."

I couldn't wait. The moment I hung up, I went straight to the cemetery.

Holding the tiny urn in my arms, I smiled.

Baby, tomorrow we get to leave.