Chapter 2

Harris's car followed my cab, flashing its headlights twice.

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Ma'am, that BMW's been tailing us. Someone you know?"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. "No."

"Want me to lose him?"

"Don't bother. He knows where I'm going."

The apartment building looked the same as always. Fresh ads were plastered inside the elevator.

I dragged my suitcase to the door and pulled out my key.

The lock didn't sound right turning. The door swung open from the inside.

Ismael stood there in a silk slip dress, holding a little boy, maybe three or four years old.

She saw me. For a second she froze — then she smiled.

"You're back."

The boy clung to her neck and studied me with curious eyes.

"Mommy, who's that?"

"Someone who used to live here."

Ismael ran a hand over his hair, then looked at me.

"Want to come in? Harris mentioned you'd be back today — I just didn't expect you so soon."

I looked past her into the living room.

Their wedding photo hung on the wall. The couch was new. Children's clothes were drying on the balcony.

"This place..."

"Is my home."

Ismael cut me off, her voice gentle.

"It has been for five years. The moment Harris got the place, he had me move in."

My suitcase wheel caught in the doorframe.

"He said once you left for the west, we'd get married."

The little boy started squirming, impatient to get down.

Ismael set him on the floor and he ran straight for the toy bin in the corner of the living room.

She leaned against the doorframe, looking me over. "You've gotten so thin. It must've been rough out there."

I tightened my grip on the suitcase handle. "Will Harris be home later?"

"I don't know." She raised an eyebrow. "What do you need from him? Money? An explanation?"

"Neither."

"Then why are you here?"

I looked at her face — carefully maintained, effortlessly composed — and suddenly felt sick.

"I'm here," I said, keeping my voice as level as I could, "to get back what's mine."

Ismael smiled.

"And what exactly do you think you still have here? I threw out your clothes a long time ago. Harris sold your books — said they were taking up space."

"Oh, and those houseplants you were so proud of? They're all dead."

She paused, then added: "I stopped watering them on purpose."

I turned and pressed the elevator button. Her voice followed me.

"Sandy, don't make a scene. You've got nothing left. You can't win this."

The elevator doors closed. I leaned back against the cold metal wall and shut my eyes.

Five years. I thought I was building a career. Turns out I was funding their honeymoon.