Chapter 3

The next morning, when the lawyer brought the documents over, Ralph barely glanced at them.

"Buying a house? So you need my signature too."

I said nothing.

He seemed to have already decided that was the answer.

"Penelope, I really don't have time."

"Whatever house you want, whatever car, just buy it."

"You don't need to bring little things like this to me anymore."

Ralph lowered his head and signed his name on the last page.

When he was done, he shoved the pen back into my hand.

"There. Happy now?"

The lawyer stood off to the side, an odd look on his face.

I closed the folder gently.

"Yes. That's it."

Ralph seemed to breathe easier. He grabbed his suitcase and headed for the door.

Just before he stepped out, he turned back and kissed the side of my face.

Like a little reward for a pet that had behaved.

"I'll bring you a gift when I'm back."

"Be good at home."

At three that afternoon, Ralph's flight landed.

He called me.

I looked at his name flashing on the screen, was silent for a few seconds, and answered anyway.

"Penelope, I've landed."

"The flight was smooth. The baby was good too, didn't give you any trouble, right?"

Then, from the other end, came Edith Simmons's laugh, laced with a hint of smugness.

"I wouldn't know whether the baby was good."

"You, though, you've been a lot more obedient than before."

Ralph seemed to give her a light pat.

"Edith, quit it."

"I'm just letting Penelope know I got here safe."

He said quit it, but his voice was ridiculously tender.

That loving tone. I had never once heard it before.

Edith leaned in closer, her voice almost pressed right against the receiver.

"Letting her know you're safe?"

"Then should we tell her we're in the same bed right now?"

Ralph laughed, delighted.

Like a boy who had finally met the person from his dreams.

"Don't do that. She'll hear you."

Edith's voice dropped lower.

"Isn't it more exciting if she hears?"

The hand holding my phone slowly tightened.

My knuckles going white, one bit at a time.

The next second, from the other end came the rustle of fabric.

And the sound of Ralph's ragged breathing.

He seemed to fumble to cover the receiver.

But some sounds only get clearer the harder you try to hide them.

"Edith… not here."