While I Couldn't Breathe, He Was With Her novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: The Terms

Nolan was waiting at the curb outside the station instead of at the house.

He got out of the car when he saw me and opened my door.

Inside, he reached across and pulled my seat belt over my shoulder and clicked it, the way he used to.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "The sponsorship stays as long as you're home. I'll sign the reinstatement tonight."

"For the show," I said. "Not for you."

"For the show."

He took my hand and I took it back.

"This marriage is temporary," he said. "As soon as her brother is through his surgery, I file for divorce. Nobody has to know."

"You've lied to me once already."

"You can check my calendar. You can check anything."

I looked at the road.

"The wedding still goes ahead next month," he said. "Exactly as we planned."

He lifted a small wooden box from the console between us and opened it.

On a bed of gray felt lay his mother's silver bracelet.

He had told me for five years that it would go to the woman he married.

I had pictured the day he gave it to me so many times that I knew the sound the box would make.

It made that sound.

"I know I hurt you," he said. "Give me a little more time."

I thought about Joan's chest and her hand going up to it.

I took the box.

"Here are my terms," I said. "The show stays on the air, every episode, with the sponsor's name on it. And Polly leaves the house in a few days, as you promised. Not weeks."

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