Chapter 9
I didn’t go see him
I wanted in
Every single day, I thought about it. But then I remembered how he treated me and Luna. His own daughter. How he favors Evelyn over Luna and even pushes her and blames Luna
cleaned the house like a mbot. Made the bed. Folded his shirts. Cooked dinner even though I didn’t eat it. Then packed some of my things along
it with tuna, Just the
He didn’t need the now.
She made sure I knew. Sent me a picture of her holding his hand, her lips too close to his face.
I got the message. Good and clear.
Twas folding Lama’s clothes when my phane buzzed.
Unknown number
I stared at it for a second before picking up. “Hello?”
A pause, then a low, hurried voice. “Anna, It’s James. Will’s assistant.”
Jitraze
“How did you?”
“I found your number in the emergency ille,” he said quickly. “I had to use a spare phone. If anyone finds out I called you, I’m done.”
I moved toward the window, lowering my voice. “Why are you calling me?”
“He’s losing, Anna. I thought you should know.”
I didn’t respond
“He’s been trying to track you down,” James continued. “He thinks you’re punishing him. Throwing some tantrum.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Is that what he thinks? That this is a tantnim?”
“I know it’s not,” James said. “That’s why I’m calling. He doesn’t understand what he did. He’s convinced you left because of Charlotte”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I snapped. “Let me guess, he’s with her now?”
Jameshesitated, “She called this moming. Said Evelyn’s sick. He rushed out to see her.”
Of course. Of course.
*1thought he was dying,” I muttered. “But he has enough strength to cut after her every time she snaps her fingers.”
“He didn’t go upstairs,” James said quickly. “He left. I think something snapped.”
“Why are you telling me this?
“Because….. he’s looking in all the wrong places. And because I think–no, I know he still ches about you.”
I sat down on the edge of thecouch. My hands were shaking.
“I don’t want him to care,” I whispered. “Not anymore. Not after everything.”
James wasquirt for a mom
“He just went to Susan’s house,” he said. “I don’t know what he’s expecting to find there.”
Mylan thudded. “What?”
H
“She called him,” James explained. “Told him to come.”
I stood up so fast my chuir screeched against the tile, “Wait–Susan called him?”
“Yeali,” he muttered. “He’s onlus way now. She sounded…conflicted, I guess? said it was time he knew the truth. Whatever that means.“”
1 hung up without another word and immediately dialed Susan’s number.
No awwn.
“Pick up,” I whispered, pacing inciples, “Pick up, pick up, pick
I swore under my breath and pressed the phone to my lovehead, eyes squeezed sinit.
Why would she do that?
i didn’t want will to know about our arrangement. Not because I was protecting h him—God nu- but because it was mine.
‘I didn’t know what to do. Should I go back? No—I couldn’t. I wouldn’t leave Luna And after everything he’d done, the last thing I wanted was will anywhere near
31
The only thing I could do was let it happen.
Let the truth come out. Let himage Let him drown in it.
The shrilling of my phone cut through my thoughts again 1 jumped.
It wasn’t James. It wasn’t Susan.
I was Lima’s school.
Tanswered with a tight voice “Hello”
* Benawir, Madame Moore. This is Madame Pelletier, Luna’s homeroom teacher. Do you have a moment to talk
My stomach twisted. “Is tema okay?”
“oh, yes! She’s doing very well in her school work Very bright, very focused,” she said cheerfully, then lowered her voice a bit. “Bart… this is about something else
Tribbed my temple. “Go on.”
“She’s been keeping to herself quite a lot No tights, nothing like that–but she doesn’t talk to the other children. During recess, she sits alone. She draws, or reads.
I sat down again, softer this time. “She’s always been a little quiet”
“Oui, but school isn’t just about academics. She’s clever, no doubt. But at her age, it’s also about connection. Social skills. Friendship, And… it seems she’s strering with that.”
Esighed. “It’s been a tough week,” Ladmitted. “We moved recently. I’m I’m getting a divorce.”
There was a pause on the line.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Madame Pelletier said gently. “It explains a lot Children are sensitive. Even if they can’t express it,
it, they feel everything”
I closed my eyes, picturing Lona’s little hands wrapped around her pencils, bent over her sketchbook. Always quiet, Always thinking “She’ll bar okay,” 1 said, more to myself than anyone else.
“I believe that, too,” the teacher replied kindly. “But it may help if you talk to her. Let her know she doesn’t have to carry it alone. When the call ended, I sat in silence. The apartment was still, the only sound coming from the nicking wall clock above the stove.
I went to Luna’s room. She was lying on her belly, coloring a picture of a giant sundlower
“Hey, sweetbrant,” I said, sitting beside her. ” talk to you for a second?”
She nodded, yes still on her drawing
“Your teacher called me, “I began she said you’re doing really great with your classwork. But she also said you’ve been kind of quiet. Not playing with the other
kids ”
She looked up slowly. “I don’t like them.”
“Why not?”
“They don’t understand me,” she mumbled. “And they talk weird.”
I smiled a little “You’re in France. That’s how they talk”
She butted and went back to coloring. “I like it better with just you and me.”
I ran my fingers gently through her curls. Me too, baby. But I also want you to feel happy here. You‘ allowed to make new friends. We’re safe now.”
She looked up again. “Because Daddy’s not hese?”
Liroze. My breath caught in my chest
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Because he’s not ”
