Page 165 of The Bad Husband

“Is he all right?” I ask, my heart shaking against my ribcage.

“Yes.”

He shoves the envelope into my hand and turns around to leave.

“Wait a minute. I have cupcakes. You like cupcakes, don’t you?”

He’s down two steps when he looks up and stops.

“Yes.”

“Wait here.”

I pull back and run inside my place. Moments later, I head to the door with a gift box and two cupcakes inside.

I open the door and see no one. A gust of wind almost topples me over.

“Fuck,” I say, my teeth chattering. “Where did he go?”

A car door opens, and the man rushes up the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” he says, with a smile this time.

He takes the box from me.

“Thank you,” he adds before he gestures at my place.

“Read his note tonight.”

“I will.”

He moves away and enters his car but doesn’t pull away. He’s probably tasked to watch the street again.

Shivering, I turn around and go straight to the kitchen where I dropped the envelope on the counter.

I lift it and reach inside. Carefully, I pull out a handwritten note.

‘I’ll be a free man soon. Come pick me up on Friday at noon, only if you’re ready.’

My mouth falls open as a timid smile crawls up my lips.

“If I’m ready? Ready for what?”

LILA

Friday

The car drops me off not far from the gate.

Two of his men drove me here. One was the Cupcake Man. That’s how I like to call him. The other is Scar Man.

An old scar mars his left cheek.

They’re both waiting around the corner.

Staring at the gate, I stomp my feet against the snowy sidewalk.

It’s cold. The sky is dark blue, almost violet, and the temperature has dropped since I arrived.