Chapter 2

The family portrait never happened.

I took Jasper home, pulled our suitcases out of the closet, and started packing.

I'd just booked two tickets to Coral Bay when a video from Marigold popped up on my phone.

She stood in front of a mirror, wearing the Hawthorne family necklace. Rafe was behind her, gently brushing her hair away from the clasp.

I knew that necklace.

It had been passed down through generations of the Hawthorne family, reserved for the woman legally married to the head of the family.

I was still Rafe's wife.

Marigold knew that.

At the end of the video, she turned toward the camera and smiled.

"Some things are only a matter of time. The Hawthorne name, the necklace, and the man himself. I know what I want."

The old me would have called Rafe and demanded an explanation.

I might even have gone to Marigold's house to remind her that the necklace wasn't hers to wear.

Instead, I closed the video.

Jasper sat on the rug, carefully lining up his toy cars. He was so focused on getting them straight that he didn't notice me watching.

I wasn't even angry anymore. I was just tired.

I confirmed our flight for the day after tomorrow and went back to packing.

Rafe came home that evening carrying a box from the bakery.

Jasper and I both looked at it.

Blackberry pie.

Rafe had never liked it. He always said it was too sweet and left a sticky taste in his mouth. But Jasper and I loved it.

When Jasper was younger, he'd often ask for it on his birthday.

I'd learned to order a separate dessert for Rafe because he wouldn't touch ours.

So why had he brought one home now?

Rafe stepped inside and noticed the open suitcases. His expression changed.

"Kai was upset, so I stayed with him longer than I planned," he said. "On my way home, I remembered you and Jasper like blackberry pie. Thought I'd bring some back."

He glanced at the luggage.

"Are you two going somewhere?"

I shook my head, then changed my mind.

"Something like that."

With only two days left before the divorce cooling-off period ended, I didn't want anything getting in the way of our plans.

Rafe seemed satisfied with my vague answer. He set the pie on the counter and continued.

"The photography studio called. They said you never showed up for the family portrait. I've booked another session for tomorrow. I'll be there this time."

He crouched in front of Jasper.

"How about it, buddy? We can take the picture tomorrow."

Jasper stopped playing with his toy car. He looked at his father, then at me.

He wanted to say yes. I could see it in his eyes.

But he was afraid to get his hopes up again.

My heart softened. I couldn't blame him for wanting one more good memory with his dad.

"All right," I said. "Tomorrow."

Jasper's face lit up. He grabbed his toy car and hurried off to his bedroom.

Once he was gone, I went back to packing.

Rafe stepped beside me. His voice and familiar presence used to make me feel safe. Now they only reminded me of how long I'd spent making excuses for him.

"About what Jasper called me today..." he began.

I looked up.

He picked up the pie box and set it beside me.

"Seraphina, I know you're upset because I've been spending so much time with Marigold and Kai."

He sounded patient, almost affectionate, using the same soothing tone he always did when he wanted to avoid making any real changes.

"But Marigold and I have a past. We were together long before you and I met, and I still feel responsible for how things ended."

"She's raising Kai alone," he continued. "I can't just ignore her when she needs help."

He took my hand and pressed it against his chest.

"Give me a little more time. I'll get things settled. I won't let you and Jasper feel pushed aside again."

I looked at him, trying to remember the last time I'd actually believed his promises.

Maybe it was on our wedding day, when he swore we'd always face everything together.

Or when Jasper was born. Rafe had held our tiny son so carefully, barely daring to move.

He'd kissed my forehead and whispered, "I'll take care of both of you. You won't have to worry about a thing."

Back then, I'd believed him.

I'd built my life around that promise. I'd given up my own work, put my career on hold, and made our family my entire world.

I stayed quiet for a long moment.

Then I decided it was time to tell him the truth.

"Rafe, there's something I need to tell you..."