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Instead of sharing his enthusiasm, however, Alexandra grew tetchy and obstructive. She constantly reminded him that, “Anything could happen.”
At the same time, she became scrupulous about protecting Molly’s interests, chasing down every promised chunk of money to ensure it was sent on time. Molly’s compensation was tiered so that she received funds every week of pregnancy, but those payments were automatic.
“Did she say there was a problem with the transfer?” Rafael asked Alexandra.
“No, but I want to be sure she’s being looked after. She has morning sickness. I think we should give her a bonus for putting up with that.”
“That’s covered under the contract. If she’s too unwell to work, she can go on leave early and we’ll replace her salary.” Once she stopped working, she would move into the island villa, where they would provide everything she needed until the baby arrived. On delivery, Molly would receive her final payment and go back to her career.
“For God’s sake, Rafael. Quit being such a hard-ass,” Alexandra snapped. “You have no idea what she’s going through.”
“No,” he agreed. “I don’t. Ask her to include me in your text chain.”
“It’s girl stuff,” she argued. “She doesn’t want to share those sorts of details with you.”
“Nevertheless.” Rafael kept a firm grip on his patience. “I want updates. I can’t help wondering if she’s manipulating you—”
“Do not.” She clasped her phone to her chest as though he were physically trying to take it from her. “I know what being manipulated feels like. That is not what she’s doing. She mentioned it was a rough week and Dr. Narula said her checkup was fine, that she can keep working if she wants to, but I want to be sure we’re doing everything we can to make this as easy as possible for her.”
In moments like this, he was both heartened and suspicious.
“Are you worried about the baby or Molly?”
A stunned pause, then, “Both. Obviously.”
She rose to stalk away.
“Alexandra.” He took a long step to catch her wrist, keeping her beside him. “This is guilt, then?”
For one second, there was such a look of naked culpability on her face, his heart bounced in reaction. Then she pulled free.
“This isn’t like asking the maid to pick up the dry cleaning. We’re not putting her out for five minutes. Her entire life will be going on hold.”
“Yes, but she understood that was the nature of the assignment. Didn’t she? Ask her to call us when she has a moment.” He nodded at her phone. “I’d like to speak with her.”
“Why?” Her hand tightened on her phone again and her jaw set. He could see all sorts of angry thoughts brewing behind her expression.
“Because I want to know how she’s feeling.” Mentally and physically.
“Fine,” she said through her teeth.
What the hell?
That was the moment he realized that he had thought they would return to the more relaxed, comfortable dynamic of their early marriage. Instead, there seemed to be yet another layer of tension.
Perhaps Alexandra was simply worried about the baby. If Molly wasn’t feeling well, that would trigger her concern for the baby. That made sense, he supposed.
Molly called the next day to reassure them that everything was going well, mentioning the morning sickness was an inconvenience, not severe. She urged them not to worry.
They saw her in person a few weeks later, when they flew to London for her twelve-week scan. She seemed to be her bright, happy self, smiling in greeting when they entered the clinic to find her already there.
The women embraced like long-lost friends, which didn’t really surprise Rafael. They texted often and seemed to be growing closer by the day. It did strike Rafael as strange, though. Alexandra was usually aloof with everyone, even women she’d known since her school days.
“Ugh, Sash. Don’t hug me so hard,” Molly protested with pained humor. “I drank half the Thames to get ready for this.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Alexandra chuckled.
Molly left with a nurse a moment later to change into a gown.
