Chapter 2

The next morning, Jeffrey fried a soft-boiled egg in the kitchen, my favorite.

He pushed the little box with the earrings across the table.

"Happy anniversary. Once I get through these next few busy days, I'll make it up to you with a dinner."

"How about we go to Harmony Sushi?"

His chopsticks stopped halfway to his mouth.

"Don't you dislike raw food?"

"We had our first date there."

He bent his head to sip his coffee.

"They changed chefs at that place. It's not as good as before. Pick somewhere else."

I put the earrings on.

"Do they look nice?"

Jeffrey reached over and brushed the hair away from my ear.

"They look nice."

"Does Pamela have a pair too?"

"Cordelia."

"Just asking."

"For her birthday I gave her a scarf. Standard for the whole department."

Six months ago he'd had stomach bleeding, and Pamela was the one who rushed him to the hospital that night.

Ever since, he kept saying he owed the girl.

At first it was just driving her home, going with her to her appointments. Later, even the effort I put in every single day became part of how he paid her back.

He stood and reached for his coat.

"Don't wait up for me tonight. And don't eat anything cold."

"Got it."

"Your medicine's in the second drawer. Take one if your stomach acts up."

"Jeffrey."

He turned back.

"Something else?"

"Happy anniversary."

He smiled a little.

"I'll call you when it wraps up tonight."

Late that morning, I got a call from the bakery. Every year they delivered a cake to us for our wedding anniversary.

I held the phone and thought for a second.

"I'll come pick it up myself."

I carried the cake to the sushi place, and through the door of the private room I heard Pamela laughing.

"Mr. Matthews, aren't you afraid your wife will find out?"

"Find out what?"

"That you give me all the food she makes."

Jeffrey's voice dropped low.

"She's soft-hearted. She won't hold it against me. But don't go bringing it up in front of her on purpose."

Pamela was quiet for a moment.

"If she knew, wouldn't she be upset?"

"She'll understand."

"Then maybe I should just order my own lunch from now on."

"No need. Don't let it go to waste."

When the server pushed the door open to bring the food in, I didn't have time to step aside, and Pamela looked up and saw me standing outside.

Her face froze for an instant, then she smoothly looked away as if nothing had happened.

I turned and left.

Pamela's message popped up right away.

【Don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Matthews is just paying me back for taking him to the hospital that time.】

Right after, she sent a photo from inside the room.

In it, she was wearing the scarf Jeffrey had given her, and his coat was draped over the back of her chair.

I carried the cake home.

Halfway there, Jeffrey sent a message.

【There's a dinner thing later, all guys, really boring.】

I sent back an okay.

His so-called meeting and dinner, I'd already stood outside that door and heard the whole thing.

I opened the cake and scooped off the words on top with a spoon, "Happy Sixth Wedding Anniversary."

At eleven that night, Jeffrey came home.

"Why aren't the lights on?"

"Forgot."

He saw the cake box on the table.

"How did you eat this much by yourself?"

Jeffrey picked up a spoon and tasted it.

"Too sweet. You should cut back."

"What did you have for lunch?"

"A stir-fried dish near the office."

"No sushi?"

He looked at me.

"Why the sudden question?"

"I felt like having salmon today."

"I'll take you sometime."

"How about that place, Harmony?"

Jeffrey was silent for two seconds, then reached out and pulled me against him.

"Sure, whatever you want."

"Let's get some sleep. Tonight's dinner really wore me out."