I sighed. “I don’t know. What kills me is that Felicity is wearing a bracelet—a piece of jewelry!—that costs enough to fix our house, and it’s just not fair. You work as hard as Oliver, probably harder. And she runs a doggie boutique? I mean, how is there so much money in that?”

Cody stopped stirring, then sidled up to me. “Marin, I’ll never have the income potential that Oliver has. I’m sorry, but I don’t have the brains or charm that he has. I’m just…me. I thought that was enough when we got married. When did that change?”

“It changed when I watched our house fall apart and we can’t afford to fix it. When my car breaks down and I can’t afford a new one. When I have to take racist, sexist remarks from my boss and can’t quit or else we’ll go hungry.”

“I’m trying my best. We both are. Give it time. We’ll get there.”

But Cody didn’t even know where there was. Just yesterday he had been kissing Felicity; today he was telling me to pursue a pipe dream. I had no idea what was overtaking my husband, but I was petrified to confront him about it. The Portmans were the only family I had, and no matter how angry I was about whatever happened between him and Felicity, I had to forgive him. Because what I did was a million times worse. Cody may be a cheater, but I was a murderer.

“Well, until we get there, I’ve got to sell my soul for two thousand bucks.” My grip tightened on the knife’s hilt, the silver blade reflecting a hazy image of Cody.

“Hey, I meant to ask you. Last night after dinner you disappeared. What happened?”

I had already recited what I would say when he finally asked, which I hadn’t expected to take him so long. “I needed a breather from Felicity. I know she’s going through a lot, but sometimes she just gets so…dark…and I can’t live in that space for long.”

“Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

Okay? I was as far from okay as Precious from the movie of the same name.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Though Felicity seemed awfully…I’m not sure how to describe it. Secretive?”

Cody froze. I had him where I wanted him. He deserved to be tormented a little.

“What do you mean?”

“Just her behavior was odd, that’s all. Like she had something to say but was afraid to say it. Has Oliver mentioned anything to you?”

“I’m sure it’s just her way of trying to cope with Vera’s disappearance.”

“Maybe.” I stared at him, he glanced away. “But it seemed like something else to me.”