Chapter 2

2

Daniel arrived shortly after, slightly out of breath, carrying a container of soup. I was starving.

He quickly set it up on the table, arranging the spoon, napkin, and water cup meticulously. “Warm water, and your favorite �C egg drop soup. Eat up. I'll peel you an orange.”

I accepted his care without a second thought. Daniel had been my devoted caretaker ever since he came to live with us when I was fifteen.

After a few spoonfuls, the gnawing in my stomach subsided. I looked up to see Daniel’s eyes glistening.

“You have no idea how scared I was when I heard about the accident,” his voice trembled.

My own throat tightened. Who wouldn't be scared after a car accident? I was just lucky it wasn’t worse. I’d only wanted to play a little joke, to see if Mark and Alex would actually worry. But apparently, they were too preoccupied to notice.

I was discharged a few days later. I stuck to my story, insisting I remembered everything and everyone except for Mark and Alex. The doctor told Mark it was temporary amnesia brought on by the concussion, and that my memory would return.

I went back to the house I shared with Mark. Piano music drifted from the living room. Sarah and Alex were playing a duet.

When they finished, Sarah gave Alex a thumbs-up. “You’re a natural, Alex!”

He blushed. “You’re a great teacher!”

A picture of domestic bliss. I walked upstairs, my expression unchanged. Alex’s smile vanished when he saw me.

Sarah stood up. “Mrs. Peterson, how are you feeling?”

I paused on the stairs. “Much better, thank you. Please, continue.”

I didn’t dislike Sarah. I envied her. She wasn’t the “other woman.” She was Mark’s unforgotten first love, the one who got away. We were married, but a nagging voice in my head whispered, the unloved one is the real other woman.

I had witnessed Mark’s infatuation with Sarah when he was eighteen, the most intense love he’d ever shown. Last month, Sarah’s family business went bankrupt, forcing her to return from Europe. She used all her savings to cover her family’s debts, but with a music degree, finding a well-paying job was tough. Mark offered her a position as Alex’s piano teacher, a generous $10,000 a month.

“Sarah’s the best! I love her!” Alex announced loudly in the living room.

“Alex, I’m not… please don’t call me that,” Sarah said, embarrassed.

Alex clung to her leg. “If you call me Alex again, I’ll be mad! Call me Xander! You’re way nicer than my mom. I like you best!” He glanced towards the stairs, making sure I was out of earshot. “Why don’t you just live here? I want to see you when I wake up. Dad said it’s okay. Our house is huge! You can have anything you want.”

Mark had suggested Sarah move in. There was plenty of room, and it would save her the long commute. Plus, she was practically broke. But Sarah insisted on renting a small apartment, politely declining his offer.

“Xander, you need to practice your piano now,” Sarah said, trying to redirect him.

Alex shook his head, determined. “Are you scared of my mom? Don't worry, Dad and I will protect you. She does whatever Dad says. She won’t do anything to you.”