Chapter 5

That week in the Highlands, I had the time of my life.

I turned off my phone, completely cutting myself off from my old life.

Ernest and I went to the Grand Palace, soaked up the sun in front of the Great Temple, and watched the stars by Sacred Lake.

Ernest is a great photographer; he made me look like an otherworldly fairy.

I posted the photos to a social media feed group that only a few friends could see, blocking Neil and all my family.

The comments underneath were nothing but praise.

"Wow, a fairy come down to earth!"

"Naomi, you're living so freely!"

"So envious, so jealous!"

Reading these comments, my vanity was hugely satisfied.

On Ernest's birthday, I booked out a very stylish highland regional restaurant to celebrate with him.

We drank a lot of local barley wine.

He held up his glass, his eyes bright as he looked at me.

"Naomi, thank you. This is the happiest birthday I've ever had."

I smiled and said,

"Don't be silly, we're best friends."

He fell quiet for a moment, then suddenly asked,

"You've been away so many days now—your husband, he doesn't mind?"

The smile faded from my face at the mention of Neil.

"Don't bring him up, it's a mood-killer."

I picked up my glass and drank it down in one gulp.

The week flew by.

It wasn't until I was on the plane home that I finally turned my phone back on.

Dozens of missed calls, all from Neil.

And hundreds of messages, too.

At first, they were angry demands.

"Naomi, did you really leave?"

"Do my words just go in one ear and out the other?"

"Turn your phone on!"

Later, they turned into worry and pleading.

"Naomi, where did you go? At least let me know you're safe."

"Honey, I was wrong. I shouldn't have fought with you. Please come home, okay?"

"As long as you come back safe, anything is fine."

Looking at these messages, I felt a tangle of emotions.

There was the faintest bit of wavering.

But soon that familiar urge to control took over again.

See? He still can't do without me.

The moment I push him away even a little, he panics.

I took my time replying with a single message.

"I'm back, on my way home."

Less than three seconds after I sent it, his call came through.

I hesitated a moment, but answered anyway.

On the other end was his voice, careful, and tinged with a hint of wild joy.

"Honey? You're back? Where are you now?"

"Almost home."

"Okay, okay, I'll wait for you."

There wasn't a trace of blame in his voice.

After I hung up, I leaned back in the taxi seat, imagining how humble and eager to please he'd be once I got home.

Maybe he'd give me a big hug, then cook me a whole table of my favorite dishes.

Thinking about it, I was almost looking forward to it.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of the complex.

I dragged my suitcase into the familiar stairwell and took out my keys.

With a click, the door opened.

I pushed it open. The entryway light was on, spilling a warm yellow glow across the floor.

Everything was exactly the same as when I'd left.

I changed my shoes and dragged my suitcase inside, calling out as I went.

"Neil, I'm back."

There was no one in the living room.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar.

I walked over and gently pushed it open.

But when I saw the scene inside, I was completely dumbfounded.