Chapter 2

Toward evening, I dug out my suitcase, opened the closet, and started sorting through my clothes.

Only then did I realize how pitifully little I owned.

The only things that were truly mine were a few old pieces of clothing shoved into a corner.

Ever since I lost my sight, my whole daily life had run on their care.

My skincare had been swapped to a different brand, because Sharon said the one I used didn't suit me.

My jewelry had been taken away, because Les was afraid I'd knock into something and hurt myself.

When I finished, the suitcase was still more than half empty.

So this was how thin my presence in this relationship had worn.

At ten that night, the keypad lock beeped.

I pushed the suitcase under the bed and sat back down on the edge of it.

Les walked in trailing the smell of alcohol.

"Evie, still up?"

"Waiting for you."

His steps hitched.

"We closed a big deal at the company today. Had a few too many drinks, so I came home late."

I looked at the red lip print on his collar and nodded.

He took out a box and pressed it into my hands.

"For you. Open it."

I felt for the clasp and opened it. Inside was a necklace.

"It's the newest diamond design. I went to the counter and picked it out myself."

"I know you're still angry about earlier today. This makes it up to you, doesn't it?"

As he spoke, he lifted the necklace and stepped behind me.

The cool pendant settled against my collarbone, so familiar it made my nose sting.

Seven years ago, the first time he'd put a necklace on me, his fingers had trembled so badly he couldn't work the clasp.

Now he could fasten someone else's castoff around my neck without a flicker.

I said nothing, running my fingertips over the pendant.

On the back of it, tiny letters were engraved.

SS.

Sharon Swanson.

I'd seen it on my phone. Two days ago, Sharon had complained on social media that this exact necklace looked dated.

"You don't like it?"

"There's writing on the back of the pendant."

"What writing?"

"SS. Sharon Swanson's initials."

The room went abruptly silent.

Les lowered his voice.

"The counter gave me the wrong one."

"The wrong one?"

I repeated it with a soft laugh.

"Right. Sharon came to a work dinner with me today. She liked a necklace, so I bought it for her while I was at it."

"And besides, she's looked after you all this time. Isn't it only right for me to give her a gift?"

"The salesgirl just swapped your two boxes, that's all."

The more he said, the smoother he got. He even reached out to smooth my hair.

"I'll have yours sent back tomorrow. Don't make a scene over something this small."

Les knew me too well. He knew exactly what tone to use to make me doubt my own judgment.

I unclasped the necklace and pushed it in front of him.

"Since it's hers, then take it back and give it to her."

"Evelyn Harding."

Les drew in a deep breath, holding down his anger.

"What's gotten into you? You sit at home all day doing nothing. I'm out there earning the money that keeps you, and I come home to your attitude?"

"I'm tired. I want to sleep."

I didn't keep arguing. I just pulled back the covers.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately. Go sleep in the guest room. Your snoring keeps me up."

Les froze.

Before, no matter how cold he was to me, I would beg him to stay.

This was the first time I'd ever pushed him out.

"Fine. That's just great."

He clenched his jaw, grabbed the box, and slammed the door on his way out.

When I heard the door bang shut, I opened my eyes.

An email had popped up on my phone.

My application for early reinstatement and transfer had been approved.

The HR arrangements and flight information had come through with it.

Looking at the flight details, I let out a long breath.