Chapter 4He Fell For My Soul And Married Her Lies

They didn't talk constantly. Miles was, after all, a busy man.

But he answered every single one of her messages. Sometimes an hour later, sometimes a day. It was like a long-running correspondence that never lost its signal.

The frequency had picked up a week ago.

Ivy had sent him her flight itinerary. She was landing at 7:00 PM tonight.

What followed was a delicate dance of "will they, won't they." Ivy threw out bait; Miles didn't always bite. Until yesterday.

Ivy: Will I see you at the gate tomorrow night?

Miles: It’s not a good idea. I don't want Nora to be upset.

Ivy: In my memory, Nora was always such a... gracious girl. You’ve been together for years; surely she won't mind you greeting an old friend?

Ivy: Besides, I’m joining your research team. Isn’t it a lead's job to welcome new staff? If she can’t handle this, how are we supposed to work together every day?

Miles had hesitated for hours. Then, at 5:00 PM today, he replied: Safe flight. See you at the airport.

Five minutes after that, he had called me.

“Hey, I have to pick up a new researcher at the airport tonight, so I won’t be home for dinner. Why don't you go over to your parents' place? And don't eat anything cold—your period is starting soon, remember? Stay warm.”

I remembered exactly where I was when he said that. I was walking to the parking garage, planning to drive across town to get that rotisserie duck he loved so much—the place with the hour-long line.

Hearing his voice, his "concern" for my health... it had made me feel so cherished. I’d walked to my car with a smile, thinking about how lucky I was.

I didn't realize that his "concern" was just the padding he used to soften the blow of a lie.