Part 2I Learned How to Enjoy Being Alone

By the time we got home, it was already one in the morning.

Sophie stood in the entryway, her face alarmingly pale. "Wendy, am I intruding on you two?"

Before I could answer, Shane had already helped her into the living room.

"You're staying here tonight."

I looked up at him. "This is our home."

"I know." His tone was calm, as if the decision were obvious.

"Her fever hasn't gone down, and it's not safe for her to go home alone this late."

Sophie looked at me with red-rimmed eyes. "Maybe I should sleep on the couch. I don't want Wendy to be upset."

Shane frowned. "You have a fever. You're not sleeping on the couch."

Then he went straight into the bedroom. When he came back out, he was carrying my white nightgown and the thin blanket I'd used for a long time.

He'd bought that blanket for me the previous winter because my hands and feet were always cold. He'd told me I kicked off the covers in my sleep, so hugging it at night would help keep me warm.

Now he placed it in Sophie's arms.

"Make do with this for tonight."

I reached out to stop him. "Not that one."

A hint of impatience appeared in Shane's eyes. "She has a fever, and you're really going to fuss over one blanket?"

"I'm not fussing over it."

"Then what is it?"

He lowered his voice. "Wendy Mercer, tonight has been exhausting enough. Don't push me into arguing with you."

Tears immediately spilled from Sophie's eyes as she clutched the blanket.

"Shane, don't be mad at her. Wendy really treasures her things. I know that."

The more understanding she sounded, the more I looked like the bad guy who refused to give an inch.

Shane was silent for a few seconds before pressing the blanket back into her arms.

"Go take a shower."

Sophie nodded. As she passed me, she said softly, "Thank you, Wendy."

I didn't answer.

Shane ran hot water for her, then went to the medicine cabinet for a cooling patch. While searching through the medicine, he casually pulled out a box of stomach tablets and set it on the coffee table.

"You didn't eat anything tonight. Take two in a little while so your stomach doesn't start hurting again."

I stared at the box.

It was ridiculous.

He knew perfectly well that I would hurt. My pain just always came after Sophie's.

When Sophie came out of the shower, she was wearing my nightgown.

"Wendy, this smells so nice." She gave me a faint smile. "You're still using the detergent Shane likes, right?"

Shane was pouring her some water and answered without thinking. "She's used it for four years. She's been used to it for ages."

I suddenly asked, "How did you know Sophie likes her cocoa warm too?"

The living room fell silent.

Sophie's fingers visibly stiffened, and Shane looked up at me.

"What?"

"Nothing." I pushed the stomach medicine away. "I just think you have a really good memory."

He heard the barb in my voice, and his expression darkened.

"You were making snide remarks at the park all night. Are you still not done?"

Sophie hurriedly set down her glass. "Don't fight. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have worn Wendy's nightgown, and I shouldn't have drunk her cocoa."

She reached for the hem as if she were about to take the nightgown off, but Shane immediately caught her by the shoulder.

"You have a fever. Stop fussing around."

Then he looked at me. "Wendy, what exactly do you want me to do?"

I'd heard that question far too many times.

Whenever he was late, broke a promise, or left me behind to go pick up Sophie, he would ask me the same thing. Somehow, the moment he did, it was as if I became the one in the wrong.

I lowered my eyes and spoke quietly.

"I just wanted you to remember that today was our fourth anniversary."

Shane froze.

Then his gaze shifted to the coffee table, where the anniversary cake, already two months late, was still sitting. I'd squeezed one side of the box until it crumpled.

After a long silence, he walked over and crouched in front of me.

"I was wrong."

He took my hand, his voice softening. "Don't we have that appointment tomorrow to get our marriage license paperwork reviewed? I'll go with you. Nine-thirty. I promise I'll be there."

I looked at him.

Whenever he truly tried to coax me, I almost pathetically believed him all over again.

Then Sophie gave a soft cough from the couch, and Shane immediately turned his head.

"Did you take your medicine?"

She shook her head. "It's bitter."

He got up and went to the kitchen for honey, while the warmth of his hand still lingered in my palm.

My phone screen lit up with a notification from the airline app.

[Your one-way flight to Southvale departs in three days.]

The screen dimmed again, and in the end, I left the ticket to Southvale right where it was in my bookings.