Chapter 4

Ever since the blowup in that private room, we hadn't spoken for three days.

That evening Les came home early and set a folder on the coffee table.

"Evelyn."

I kept sorting my Braille books and didn't answer.

He stood there a moment, then bent down and pulled the book out of my hands.

"How long are you going to keep this up?"

He pushed the folder into my hands.

"This is a new project the company's launching. I made a point of putting your name in the manager's slot. Every month the dividends will go straight into your account."

"I know that after you lost your sight you lost your income too, and without any security you started imagining things. These dividends are enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life."

He pressed his hand over the folder, his voice softening.

"Evie, as long as you stay quietly by my side, you'll always be part of the Sanchez family."

I ran my fingers along the edge of the folder.

I didn't need to see it to know this was no core project.

The core business of Les's company had long since been picked clean by Sharon's relatives.

This folder was almost certainly just a shell project.

"I don't want it."

I let go, and the folder slid to the floor.

Les's face went dark.

"Evelyn."

"Do you have any idea how many people out there are eyeing that position? Do you know how much pressure I took on just to get your name in there?"

"You always used to say you wanted to build the company up with me. Now I'm giving you a place, and you don't want it?"

I lifted my head, my eyes empty.

"Les, I don't want it."

His chest was heaving.

After a long moment he leaned down, braced a hand on the arm of the couch, and trapped me against him.

"Then what do you want?"

"What more do you want me to do to make it up to you?"

I turned my face away and said nothing.

We held like that for a moment, then he straightened.

He fixed his cuffs, and his face settled back into its usual composure.

"Tomorrow I'm going out of town for a business meeting. I'll be back in two weeks."

"Use the time to think it through. You can't manage without someone to take care of you, and you can't manage without me. When you realize you were wrong, call me."

With that he grabbed his car keys and strode out.

When the sound of the engine faded, I got up and threw the folder in the trash.

Early the next morning, I wheeled my suitcase into the airport.

As I passed the VIP lounge, a familiar voice reached me.

"Les, is the hotel in the Maldives an ocean-view suite?"

It was Sharon.

I stopped walking and turned my head.

Through the glass wall, I saw them.

Les was in casual clothes, looking at Sharon with his eyes full of tenderness.

"Of course. Didn't you say you love the ocean view there? I've arranged everything. This trip, we're going to relax properly for two whole weeks."

Sharon gave a sweet little laugh and leaned into his arms.

"So you're just leaving Evelyn to fend for herself? She's home all alone. What if something happens to her?"

Les gave a cold snort.

"Don't worry about her. Her temper's only gotten worse lately. She needs to be taught a lesson."

He lowered his head and kissed Sharon's forehead.

"These two weeks, I belong only to you."

So this was his business trip.

I drew my eyes back and turned toward the security checkpoint.

No lingering, no hesitation.

Les looked up all at once, staring at that familiar retreating figure, an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

He stood, meaning to go after her.

Sharon took his hand and laced her fingers through his.

"What's wrong?"

He gazed toward the spot where I'd disappeared, and quickly dismissed the suspicion in his mind.

She rarely even stepped out the front door alone. How could she possibly be at the airport?

He sat back down.

"It's nothing. Just thinking about spending our honeymoon together."

Sharon laughed softly and pressed herself into his arms.

Their lips met.

At ten o'clock sharp, the flight to Munich took off.

I looked out the window at the city shrinking below.

Les, I won't stay in the dark any longer.