The Imperfect Marriage novel · Chapter 13 of 24

Chapter 13: Page Two

"Two years," I said. "Say the rest of it."

Faith held the porch rail with both hands.

"The yard only passes to Ross for now. It becomes his for good after twenty-four months of marriage."

"And if the marriage ends before that?"

"The yard is sold. Haas Marine buys it, just like they planned."

The wind off the lake went straight through Ross's robe.

"Lowell knew all of it," Faith said. "He told his father fourteen days was a gift. A fake wife walks out on day fifteen, and the sale closes itself."

"Why tell me now?"

"Because last night I watched them talk about you like you were a coat rack."

She wiped her face with her wrist.

"I'm not asking you to forgive me, Dag. I just couldn't let you find out on day fifteen."

I looked at her for a long moment, my oldest friend, in last night's gown on my husband's porch.

"Go home, Faith," I said.

She went down the steps without another word.

I climbed the stairs two at a time.

Ross was awake.

He sat on the edge of the bed in his shirtsleeves, with grey light on his face.

I knew from that face that he had heard everything through the floor.

"Show me," I said.

"Dagny."

"Show me page two."

He didn't argue, and he didn't pretend.

He crossed to the desk and took the leather folder from the bottom drawer.

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