Chapter 3

3: 3

"You like it?"

Dale set the jewelry box in my hand.

"The clerk said it's a new design."

"How much?"

"Why does that matter?"

"Just curious."

"Over twelve grand."

He said it easily, bending to fasten the bracelet around my wrist.

"Your wrist is so thin. This suits you perfectly."

The diamonds were no bigger than grains of rice. The price tag on the bottom of the box read two hundred and eighty.

"You bought it last night?"

"Mm."

"Which store?"

Dale lifted his eyes.

"Why the sudden interest in the accounts?"

"I don't want you getting cheated."

"You think anyone could cheat me?"

He flicked the tip of my nose.

"Just wear it. Don't worry about the money."

"Can I have the supplementary card?"

"Isn't it already with you?"

"I mean the physical card."

His hands slowed.

"Elaine does purchasing for the department sometimes. I let her use it for now."

"And using our wedding anniversary as the PIN makes it convenient for her too?"

"Ruby."

Dale didn't get angry. He just came and sat down beside me.

"If something were really going on between us, would I be stupid enough to hand her the card?"

"Her family doesn't have much, and she just moved to the city. I help where I can."

"Renting her a private apartment is helping?"

"Her old landlord kept harassing her."

"The hotels?"

"Department dinners."

"The adult store?"

He finally went quiet.

A few seconds later, Dale took my hand.

"Last night I did go with her to buy a few things."

"For whom?"

"Ruby, do you really have to put it so crudely?"

His voice stayed level, his thumb brushing the back of my hand.

"I'll admit it. She and I crossed a line."

"When did it start?"

"After you started the IVF."

"Why?"

"You were too tense back then."

He kept his eyes lowered, like he was laying out something he'd had no choice about.

"Every day you were tracking ovulation, taking your temperature, even monitoring what time I went to bed. I couldn't say I was tired when I got home, afraid of upsetting you."

"Elaine was different. With her, I didn't have to think about the future."

"So you love her?"

"No."

Dale didn't hesitate.

"The one I've always loved is you."

"And the baby?"

His eyes flickered.

"Why bring up the baby again?"

"Was the baby in Elaine's way?"

"Of course not."

"Do you know anyone at the prenatal screening center?"

Dale drew his hand back and picked up his water glass.

"Where did you go today?"

"The hospital."

"Didn't I tell you to just get your records and come home?"

"Why is there no prenatal screening report in the system?"

The glass came down on the table with a soft click.

He rose, came over, and straightened my cuff.

"Ruby, in your condition, you shouldn't be looking into these things."

"Answer me."

"The report wasn't done at that hospital."

"Which one, then?"

"A lab out of town."

"The name."

"It was too long ago. I don't remember."

He reached out and pulled me into his arms, holding tighter than usual.

"It was my fault. I shouldn't have touched Elaine."

"Curse me if you want. Hit me, that's fine too."

"Just don't torture yourself over the baby."

"I can cut things off with her cleanly."

"How?"

"Take the card back, give up the apartment, never see her alone again."

"Will she agree to that?"

"I don't need her to agree."

Dale rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Ruby, I won't lose you over any woman."

"Then call her right now."

He let go of me, his brow creasing slightly.

"There's no reason to humiliate her in front of you."

"Breaking up is humiliating her?"

"She never asked me to divorce you. She never made a scene in front of you."

Dale said it so gently.

"Leave a person a little room. Once I've handled it, I'll give you a proper explanation."

"How long?"

"A week."

"And if I won't wait?"

"You'll wait."

He stroked my hair.

"We've known each other ten years. You can't bear to give me up."

The phone on the table began to buzz.

Dale didn't hide it from me. He answered right there.

Elaine was crying so hard she could barely breathe.

"Dale, my stomach hurts."

"Did you take the medicine?"

"I did. It still hurts."

"Get the heating pad out first. I'm coming right over."

He grabbed his coat, turned back, and kissed my forehead.

"Her periods have always been terrible. I'm taking her to the hospital."

"And me?"

"You've already recovered."

"Ruby, don't nitpick at a time like this."

The door was halfway open when he came back.

Dale slid the diamond bracelet off my wrist and set it back in the box.

"Elaine's been eyeing this one for a long time."

"She's not doing well tonight. I'll lend it to her for a couple of days."