Chapter 2

I spent the afternoon at Frank's place going over the strategy for my divorce from Mandy. When we finished, I took a taxi back to my apartment complex.

But when I stood at my front door and punched in the code, the keypad flashed an error. I tried it several more times. Nothing.

It took me a long moment to realize Mandy had changed the passcode.

I pulled out my phone and called her. "Mandy, I'm locked out. Did you change the code?"

Mandy's voice was sharp and clear. "Yeah, I did. I bought the apartment, so I get to decide whether you're allowed in."

My heart sank. So she was getting back at me for what happened this morning.

She had bought the apartment before we got married, and only her name was on the deed, but I'd chipped in 300,000 dollars for the renovations.

Thinking about what Frank and I had discussed this afternoon, I forced myself to swallow my anger.

"Mandy, what happened this morning was my fault. I'm sorry."

Mandy snorted. "Oh, so you finally admit you were wrong? But I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. You owe Sam an apology."

"It was my fault," I said, going along with it. "I shouldn't have thrown his Perler-bead sign out the window. Why don't you invite him over tonight? I'll cook a big dinner to make it up to him."

Mandy paused. "Well, at least you're showing some remorse. I'll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, don't ever expect to set foot in my house."

"Mandy, don't worry," I promised quietly. "There won't be a next time."

Our marriage would be over soon enough anyway. There wouldn't be a next time.

She gave me the new code, and I finally made it inside.

The very first thing I did after getting inside was contact a home security company and arrange to have hidden cameras installed in every room.

…

That evening, Mandy came home with Samuel.

The second he walked in, he took his own pair of slippers from the entryway closet with practiced ease and changed into them. Then he flopped onto the couch, watching me bustle around the kitchen.

"Liam really knows his way around a kitchen," he said casually. "Mandy, you're lucky to have a husband like him."

Mandy spread blue cheese onto a cracker and held it up to his mouth.

"All right, hurry up and eat. Not everyone gets to spend all day slacking off and enjoying life like you."

Samuel winked playfully and bit the cracker right out of her hand.

I shut the kitchen door tight on instinct, trying to keep the pungent, funky smell of the blue cheese from drifting in.

Mandy always remembered that Samuel loved blue cheese more than anything. Every time he came over, she bought it herself, spread it on crackers just the way he liked, and fed them to him by hand.

Yet she could never remember that the smell of blue cheese turned my stomach.

Or maybe she did, but just didn't care.

…

Half an hour later, I brought out the dinner I'd made and set it on the table.

Samuel suddenly looked up from his plate. "Liam, isn't this supposed to be an apology dinner? Why don't you start by taking three penalty shots?"

"I can't really drink," I replied quietly. "I'll just toast with water."

Samuel scoffed as I reached for the water glass. "The fact that you can't hold your liquor is exactly what proves you're sincere. Who are you trying to fool with water?"

Mandy opened a bottle of whiskey and poured me a full glass.

"Sam's right. If you're apologizing, act like it. You're taking these three shots."

The apology was just an excuse. I hadn't expected them to be this relentless, hell-bent on humiliating me. But I had to endure it for now.

I gripped the glass, lifted it, and knocked it back in one gulp.

But Samuel still wasn't satisfied. "You haven't even said what you're apologizing for!"

Mandy glared at me too. "Liam, what's wrong with you? Do you seriously need someone to teach you how to apologize properly?"

As I watched them tag-team me, I forced the words out. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thrown Samuel's Perler-bead sign out of the car."

I choked down the next two shots. Samuel finally flashed a wide grin and slung an arm around Mandy's shoulders.

"I'm not that petty. Since you're apologizing so sincerely, of course I'll forgive you. But Mandy and I made a promise when we were kids. Her passenger seat belongs to me. Even marriage doesn't change that, so don't get jealous over nothing next time."

The alcohol hit me hard, making my head heavy and sluggish until I could barely get the words out. "I won't… Never again…"

Then I couldn't hold myself up any longer. I slumped backward and blacked out.

When I woke up the next morning, I was lying on the couch, my whole body aching.

Aside from the dining table cluttered with dirty dishes and leftover food, there was no sign of Mandy or Samuel.

I dragged myself up, grabbed my phone, and opened the security app. I couldn't wait another second to watch the footage from after I passed out last night.