Chapter 2

I've barely checked into my hotel in Chicago when an invitation lands in my inbox.

[Thanksgiving at the Callahan Estate: Welcoming Grant's Three Children]

The dinner is tomorrow, our fifth wedding anniversary.

My name sits right there on the invitation, next to Grant's and the children's.

The event planner calls a few minutes later.

"Mr. Callahan says the whole family will be there. You'll be joining him to introduce the children to everyone."

I call Grant immediately.

"Why is my name on the invitation?"

He says it, unbothered.

"You know about the kids now. No reason to keep hiding them."

He doesn't sound the least bit worried.

"The whole Callahan family will be at the estate tomorrow."

"Having you there will make it easier for them to accept the kids."

"Take my name off," I say, cold. "I'm not coming."

He pauses.

"I already booked your flight. Don't embarrass the family."

He doesn't need me.

He needs Mrs. Callahan, standing there smiling, proof that his wife accepts the three children he had with other women.

I hang up and message the planner.

[I'm not attending. And I won't pretend I accept his children with other women.]

That afternoon, the front desk sends up a cream-colored handbag.

There's a card inside.

[Happy fifth anniversary. I'm coming to Chicago to bring you home.]

I'd stopped once to admire this brand while we were shopping, years ago.

He remembered.

Then I see a new Instagram post from his childhood friend, Brooke.

She, Vanessa, and Lauren are each holding the same bag, in different colors.

[He bought four and let us pick first. Nobody wanted the cream one, so he's giving it to his wife to keep her sweet.]

Vanessa has commented underneath.

[Think she'll believe he picked it out just for her?]

I look down at the cream-colored bag in my lap.

They each got to choose. I got what was left over.

A printed travel confirmation is visible in the corner of the photo.

I zoom in.

Grant, Brooke, Vanessa, Lauren, and all three children.

Seven people, flying to Chicago in two days.

Brooke posts again.

[My boy wanted to see the belugas, so Daddy changed the whole trip for him.]

Grant isn't making some special trip just for me.

He's taking three women and their kids to Chicago on vacation, and he figures he'll swing by and collect me while he's at it.

Brooke has posted the full itinerary, too.

The aquarium, the zoo, a family camping trip, family photos by the river.

I read it all the way through.

Every stop is in the same order.

Two years ago, right after I found out I was pregnant, I stayed up half the night planning a family trip to Chicago.

At the top, I'd written:

[Your first trip with Mommy and Daddy.]

I couldn't wait to send it to Grant.

His reply: [We won't need it.]

I thought he just wasn't excited about the baby yet.

Now I pull up the group chat messages I saved from that day.

Lauren had asked:

[Isn't this the trip she planned for her baby?]

[She's having the abortion tomorrow. She won't need it after that.]

[As long as our kids have fun.]

The room assignments list three suites, one for each woman and her child.

Grant's name is on all three.

Three mothers. The same father.

He gave their children every one of the seven days I'd planned for mine.

He was willing to take his kids on vacation. Just not the one he had with me.

I take the handbag down to the front desk.

"Please send this back. I don't want anything from Grant Callahan."

Then I check out and rent a furnished apartment in Old Town.

Grant can come to Chicago. He just won't know where to find me.