Page 118 of The Bad Husband

“Oh…”

“Yeah.”

“Trouble in paradise?” the younger woman asks.

“These things happen,” Livia comments with icicles in her voice. “At least, I don’t need to break the news to her,” she murmurs mostly to herself.

“She doesn’t know about this new arrangement?”

“I think she does,” Livia says dryly. “It’s not our business what they do or don’t do. Go back to work.”

Flora’s footsteps trail up the stairs while Livia ponders for a moment before turning around and walking into the kitchen.

After mulling over my options, I make a beeline to the same room.

“Oh, hi,” I say, walking in.

Livia stands by the kitchen island, peering at her phone.

She glances at me before shifting her focus back to her phone.

“Things all right?” I ask, opening the refrigerator and scooping out a bottle of water.

“Everything’s just fine.”

Someone’s in a bad mood.

Is she blaming me for all this? Does she think I have something to do with Henrietta’s removal from the house?

I hope not.

I twist the cap and take a sip, my eyes on her.

She glances at me again.

“Dinner is in the oven,” she says evenly.

She tilts her chin in that direction.

Maybe she wasn’t even thinking about me.

“Thank you.”

I walk to the oven, open the door, and check the lasagna tray.

“Mmm. It looks delicious.” It’s untouched. “Did they cook that especially for me?”

“Yes, they did.”

She tucks her phone into her pocket and looks at me.

Something’s off.

“Is it a special day? A celebration?” I go on.

“I don’t know,” she says. “He ordered it.”

“He?”