Chapter 11: Second Night

"He has people everywhere," Matthias said. "He probably had someone watching the house."

"Do you believe that?"

"I don't know what I believe."

He set the phone face down on the island and gripped the edge with both hands.

"I should have said this on the drive," he said. "I should say it now."

"Say what?"

"You don't owe me anything. Ania is in the trial. The money is hers."

"If the vials fail, you walk away with every cent that's yours and I won't say a word."

I stared at him.

"You're letting me go."

"I'm giving you the door."

"Why?"

"Because I can't give you what the contract promised."

He said it to the counter.

"It was supposed to be simple. A clinic, a baby, a year."

"Now there are two chances left, and they might both be nothing."

"And you've spent a week married to a man who can't even..."

He stopped.

His jaw worked.

"Who can't even do the one thing he's built for," he finished, very low.

I put down the dish towel.

I crossed the kitchen and stood so close to him that he had to look at me.

"Listen," I said. "I signed that contract for my sister. That part's finished. I stay for my own reasons."

"What reasons?"

"Mine."

"Hanna."

"I'm not going anywhere because a freezer failed. I'm not leaving because you're scared."

"I'm not scared."

"You're terrified. You've been holding your breath for twelve years."

His eyes were bright and furious and wet.

"I know what it feels like," I said, "to count what's left."

I took his face in both hands.

His beard was rough under my palms, and he closed his eyes.

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