Chapter 36

Thomas paused by the counter, one hand on a half-emptied Tupperware container, as his wife’s cellphone vibrated insistently on the kitchen table. The morning sun slanted through the blinds, illuminating stray crumbs and droplets of coffee. He glanced down at the screen. The name “Zoe” blinked back at him. With a soft sigh, he set aside the dishes he and Cassandra had just finished and reached for the phone.

He tapped “Answer” and raised the receiver to his ear before the second ring. “Hey, Zoe. It’s Thomas.”

On the other end, Zoe’s voice crackled with surprise. “Oh—Thomas. Where’s Cassandra? Is she still there with you?”

Thomas rubbed the back of his neck and forced a wry smile, though Zoe couldn’t see it. “About that…”

Her tone sharpened. “What? She won’t come to the phone? Today’s kind of important.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, leaning against the sink so his shoulders could absorb the tension. “She’s sleeping.”

There was a stunned sile