The next morning, the apartment was quiet. The shattered vase was gone, swept away by the housekeeper who came at dawn.
Evelyn emerged from the guest room, dressed for battle in a sleek black dress. She walked into the kitchen.
On the granite island sat a massive bouquet of white roses. At least four dozen. They looked like a funeral arrangement.
Next to them was a card: I'm sorry. Stress at work. Forgive me?
Julian walked in from the living room. He looked sheepish, holding a small envelope.
"I overreacted," he said, using his "charming boy" voice, the one that worked on investors. "I've just been under so much pressure with the IPO. And when I saw that coat... I got jealous."
Evelyn felt bile rise. He was gaslighting her. Rewriting history less than twelve hours after it happened.
She decided to play the game. The clock was ticking down.
"I know," she said, forcing a tight smile. "We're both tired."
Julian relaxed visibly. He thought he had won. He handed her the envelope.
"I noticed your Amex was... damaged yesterday," he said, a hint of accusation in his tone. "I had the bank rush a replacement. It's the Platinum card. The limit is higher."
He was trying to buy her back. He was acknowledging the broken card without admitting why she broke it.
Evelyn took the envelope. "You're too good to me," she lied.
"Make it up to you tonight?" he whispered, leaning in. "Dinner? Just us?"
Evelyn pulled away gently. "I have a migraine, Julian. Maybe tomorrow."
Julian's face fell, but he nodded. "Of course. Rest."
He left, whistling as he walked to the elevator.
As soon as the doors closed, Evelyn tossed the envelope onto the counter unopened. She went to the laundry room. She spent the next hour carefully treating the stain on Alistair's jacket with an enzymatic cleaner she had mixed herself. She steamed the wool until it looked brand new.
She placed the jacket in a garment bag. She couldn't return it in person. Not yet.
She pulled out her burner phone.
"Draft the papers," she told her lawyer. "I want them ready to file the moment I give the signal. Not a second before."
She looked at the white roses. She grabbed the vase and dumped the entire arrangement into the trash compactor. The crushing sound was satisfying.
