Chapter 3

Michael took a deep breath. "Fine. Maybe I didn't think enough about how you felt tonight, and I'm sorry. But take back what you said about divorce. I don't want to hear it again."

"I'm not taking it back," I said.

"Sadie Everett!"

I shouted back, even louder. "Why are you yelling? You think being louder makes you right? When you embarrassed me in front of Emily tonight, did you stop to think about how I felt? And now you're yelling at me?"

His chest heaved. "So now you're keeping score? Because I cracked open a crab leg for her and not for you? Because I talked to her instead of you? Sadie, when did you get so petty?"

I walked to the doorway and shoved him aside. "Fine. I'm petty. I'm so petty I can't stand knowing my husband has feelings for someone else. Happy now?"

I stepped into the guest room and glanced back at him. "I'm calling a lawyer tomorrow. We can talk about dividing everything then."

I shut the door.

For a few seconds, there was silence on the other side. Then came a heavy thud. Michael had punched the door.

"Sadie! Open the door! Let's talk this through!"

I ignored him.

His footsteps receded, followed by the slam of our bedroom door.

Before that day, I'd never imagined we'd end up here.

The next morning, I woke to Michael and Emily talking in the living room.

A takeout breakfast was spread across the coffee table, with coffee, pancakes, and scrambled eggs still hot.

Emily saw me and immediately stood, all smiles. "Morning. I picked up breakfast. Come eat with us."

She sounded completely at home, like this was her place.

I stood in the guest-room doorway, staring at them in disbelief. "Why is she here?"

Michael set down his fork and cleared his throat.

"Her place is old, and the plumbing and wiring both need repairs. It's not safe for her to stay there right now. She'll stay with us for a while and move back once everything's fixed."

I walked slowly to the middle of the living room and looked from Michael to Emily.

"Say that again."

"She's staying here for a while."

"No."

Emily's smile froze.

Michael finally looked up at me. "Sadie, can you not do this? She just got back. She barely knows anyone here, and she can't stay at her place right now. What's wrong with letting her stay for a few days?"

I walked over to the dining table but didn't sit down. "What about me? I'm your wife, and I'm saying no. Half this place is mine. I get a say in who stays here."

Emily immediately put up her hands, looking hurt. "Please don't be mad. It really is just for a few days. If it bothers you that much, I'll leave. It's just that my place is so old—"

"Then stay at a hotel," I cut in.

"Hotels are expensive. She just got back, and she doesn't have steady work yet."

I turned to Michael. "How is that my problem? Whether she has a steady job or can afford a hotel, why is any of that your problem? Why is it our problem?"

Michael got to his feet, visibly angry. "Sadie, do you have to be so harsh? She's my friend. She's having a hard time, so of course I'm going to help her out. What's wrong with that?"

"Help her out? Your idea of helping her out is letting her stay in our place so I can wake up every morning and find her sitting in my living room eating breakfast?"

Emily's eyes reddened, and her voice wavered. "Sadie, I really don't mean anything by this. Michael and I really are just friends. We've known each other for years. If I wanted to come between you two, why would I wait until now? Please don't get the wrong idea."

I turned to her. "I told you, there's no misunderstanding here. You can drop the act."

Michael shouted, "Sadie! Enough! You've been making a big deal out of this since last night. Are you ever going to stop?"

I looked at him. "I've already said no. Either she goes, or I do. You choose."