Chapter 3

The room I'd prepared for Tessa was unrecognizable.

The clean bedding had been stripped and tossed over a chair. Leather jackets and evening dresses packed the closet. Vivi's skin-care products, camera, and shopping bags covered the dresser, while an enormous stuffed white bear sat in the middle of the bed like a flag marking conquered territory.

The front door opened downstairs, followed by Vivi's laugh. "Thanks for taking me to the winter light show, Dante. Today was awful, but that cheered me right up."

Dante walked in, pulling off his gloves. "Vivi had another run-in with the security trainees. The captains are reviewing it, and things have turned hostile at the trainee residence. I told her she could stay here for a few days."

"I told you last week that Tessa was moving into this room tonight."

He paused for half a second.

That was all I needed. He'd forgotten completely.

When I'd asked him, he hadn't even looked away from his laptop. He'd said Tessa was my friend and I didn't need his approval.

Now his mouth tightened. "I forgot. That's on me." He reached into his coat and took out a snow globe. "This is from the exhibit. I'll take you this weekend."

I recognized the logo on the base. I'd wanted to see that show from opening night. For three months, he'd claimed he couldn't spare an evening.

Tonight, he'd found the time for Vivi.

I took the snow globe, carried it into the kitchen, and dropped it in the trash.

The blood drained from Dante's face. Vivi rushed forward. "This is my fault. When Tessa gets here, we can share the room. I don't mind."

I walked past her with a smile and carried her clothes, camera, cosmetics, and stuffed bear into the hallway.

Her eyes filled instantly. "Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?"

I nodded toward the master bedroom. "With Dante. The two of you already act more like a married couple than we do."

Her face went scarlet. "Elena! If you don't want me here, just say so. You don't have to humiliate me."

She covered her face and ran outside.

For once, Dante didn't immediately chase after her. He looked at me first, his brows drawn together. "She didn't take Tessa's room on purpose. She might be barred from family events for fighting a senior member, and she's scared. If you didn't want her here, you could've told me without tearing her apart."

"This is my home too. You brought another woman into it and gave away a room I'd prepared for my friend, yet somehow I'm the one who owes everyone an apology?"

Dante rubbed his forehead. "She had nowhere else to go. It's only for a few nights. I thought you could show someone in our household some compassion. Besides, you didn't need my permission to invite Tessa either."

A month ago, I would've fought until my throat hurt. I would've reminded him that Tessa didn't wear his clothes, ask him for midnight snacks, or post suggestive pictures with her body pressed against his.

I would've demanded to know why one tear from Vivi mattered more than anything I felt.

Now I only nodded. "You're right. Neither of us needs the other's permission."

Which meant I didn't need his permission to leave New York. I didn't need it to end our marriage. And I certainly didn't need it to raise my child where Dante would never find us.

I opened the front door for him. "You should check on Vivi. I need to finish packing."

That answer unsettled him more than anger would have.

Dante crossed the room and closed his hand around my wrist. His palm was warm against my skin, but all I felt was tired.

"She can stay at a hotel." His gaze moved past me to the open suitcase in the living room, and his expression changed. "Why are you packing? Elena, where are you going?"