Chapter 6

I let go of the door.

There's one thing Ethan is right about.

I shouldn't have pushed Noah.

I walk back and crouch in front of him.

"I'm sorry I pushed you. I shouldn't have done that."

He looks at Vanessa.

Then he spits in my face.

For a moment, I don't move.

Saliva slides down my cheek.

"You're dirty," he says. "You deserved it."

Vanessa puts a hand over her mouth.

Ethan looks at me.

"Even he knows what you've been doing."

I take a tissue from the box on the coffee table.

My hands are steady while I wipe my face.

That surprises me.

"What I've been doing?"

"Don't start."

"You've spent four years showing up everywhere with her."

Vanessa straightens.

"Claire—"

"You moved my son into her house. You made her decide when I could see him. You let her tell him I was a bad mother."

"She stepped in when you couldn't be trusted."

"She made sure you wouldn't trust me."

Vanessa's eyes fill.

"I've done nothing but try to help."

I look at Ethan.

"Three hotel rooms. Three times she knew where to find me. Three times she handed you the answers."

His face changes.

Just slightly.

"You think I haven't noticed?" I ask.

"You signed the papers."

"Yes. I did."

"Then stop blaming everyone else."

I stand.

"Keep telling yourself there's nothing going on between you."

Vanessa takes a step toward him.

"Ethan, I don't deserve this."

He looks at her.

Then at me.

"You want to know what it would look like if there were?"

The room goes quiet.

He turns toward the nanny waiting near the stairs.

"Take Noah to the playroom."

Noah starts to object.

"Now."

The nanny takes his hand.

I wait until they're out of sight.

Then I pick up my bag.

Ethan catches my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"Let go."

"You had plenty to say a minute ago."

His fingers tighten.

He pulls me toward the stairs.

I grab the railing with my free hand.

"Ethan."

He turns back.

There's nothing uncertain in his face now.

That frightens me more than the anger.

"You wanted to make a scene."

"Let me go."

He pulls again.

My hand slips from the railing.

By the time we reach the bedroom, I'm struggling to keep my feet under me.

He pushes me inside.

Vanessa follows.

"Ethan," she says softly.

He closes the door.

I try to get past him.

He catches both my wrists and pulls off his tie.

For a second, I don't understand what he's doing.

Then he loops it around my hands.

"No."

I pull away.

He jerks the knot tight.

"Stop fighting."

"Then stop."

He forces me down beside the bed.

Pain shoots through my shoulder.

I look toward Vanessa.

She's watching us.

"Help me."

Her eyes move to Ethan.

He reaches for her.

The hesitation disappears from her face.

"After everything she said about us," he tells her, "why shouldn't we?"

I push myself against the side of the bed.

The tie cuts into my wrists.

"Open the door."

Neither of them answers.