ing. "I need a few more days. I have to get my passport and my

e. "Annis, it'

"But it' s the only w

rangely cheerful. He didn' t seem to notice the new

nced, as if she should be grateful for the praise. "I' ll b

a few wives of his business partners, women who would drop her the second she was no longer Mrs. Reyes. He had no

unaware of the split, forwarded Annis a link to a society blog. There was a gallery of photos: Dominick and Chastity at a chari

stity, their hands intertwined over her belly. The caption r

re. Then, with a steady h

wish you both a lif

minick. She let it go to voicemail. H

e called a cab and went to the hospital

ere th

the OB-GYN clinic on the ground floor.

, Mr. Reyes," the nurse gushed. "The way yo

he praise. Chastity look

She had been in this very clinic, in a different room, bleeding. She had just lost their b

ch and said, "Can they hurry

rough the fog of her weakness. That

replaced by a scowl. "Annis? What are you do

nd triumph. "Oh, Annis, you poor thing. You look so pale. Domin

ance of kindness

stroking Chastity' s hair. "Annis,

he perfect happy couple

r passport. It wa

bag sitting on the seat beside her, a blatant symbol of her replacement. Chastity chattered happil

t domestic scen