Chapter 2

I didn't want to think about it anymore. Sienna's laughter echoed behind me, sounding like nails on a chalkboard. I forced myself to walk faster.

Since Zachary stopped coming home, the mansion had felt like a tomb. It was just me and our housekeeper, Mary.

Mary rushed out to greet me, her face lighting up before turning into a mask of worry. "Molly! You've been gone so long. Are you sick? You look like a ghost."

Even the help cared more about my well-being than my own husband. He hadn't even sent a text.

I forced a weak smile. "I'm okay, Mary. Just a bit tired. Is there any soup?"

"Of course, dear. I'll make your favorite. You need to get your strength back." She scurried off to the kitchen.

I pulled the jar of stars out and set it on the dining table. I stared at it, lost in a trance.

The doorbell rang. It was Zachary's mother, Mrs. Hart.

Before I could greet her, she gasped. "Oh my god, Molly! What happened to you? You look terrible!"

She practically dragged me to the sofa. If I hadn't stopped her, she would have called an ambulance right then and there.

"You're eating for two now, you have to be careful," she scolded gently.

"Where is Zachary? Why isn't he with you?"

"He hasn't been at the office lately. His father and I thought he was home taking care of you."

"If Mary hadn't called me, were you going to keep me in the dark forever?"

His mother had always been kind to me. Her warmth was the only thing keeping me from shattering.

I couldn't find the words to answer. Luckily, Mary came out with a steaming bowl of soup.

"Don't be mad at me for calling her, Molly. I was just so worried," Mary whispered.

I shook my head. "I'm not mad, Mary. Thank you."

The front door opened again. Zachary walked in.

He froze when he saw us. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you the same thing! Where have you been? Why is your wife sitting here looking half-dead while you're out playing god knows where?"

Zachary stumbled over his words. "I… I've been busy with some things."

"What is more important than Molly? She's pregnant, Zachary! Can't you delegate your work? Do you have to do everything yourself?"

I reached out and squeezed her hand. "It's fine, Mom. He has a lot on his plate. I'm okay."

He looked at me with a flash of guilt. "Thank you, Molly."

I didn't know if he was thanking me for the cover-up or for not exposing his little mistress.

"You are not leaving tonight," Mrs. Hart commanded. "You stay here and take care of your wife."

"But…" Zachary started, then shut his mouth. He knew he couldn't win this one without revealing his dirty secret.

Later that night, only a dim bedside lamp lit our room. I looked even more fragile in the sallow light.

Zachary pushed the door open. He sat on the edge of the bed, testing the waters. "Molly… Sienna is waiting for me. She's not stable. She can't be alone."

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out the jar of stars.

"What's this?" he asked, confused.

"Ninety-nine stars. I finished them."

He paused. "Has it really been ninety-nine times?"

"Are you still going?" My voice was a broken plea, but it didn't spark any mercy in him.

"Molly, she has amnesia. I can't just abandon her. You understand that, right?"

"I promise, once she's recovered, I'll send her away. Then it'll be just us, okay?"

I wasn't going to beg him to stay anymore. His departure was as inevitable as mine.

I nodded. "I want that infant anklet. Consider it a gift for our baby."

He patted my head. "Fine. I promise. When I get back, we'll go to the baby store and get everything."

The sound of the front door closing felt like a final blow. The silence in the room was replaced by my muffled sobs.

I turned on the lights and pulled a folder of medical reports from the drawer.