“That’s more like it. That’s the wife I remember.”

He extended his arms, which were robed in fake mink fur, and offered you up like a gift from the king. I scrambled to my feet and swept you away from him. I folded you up in my chest and held you and kissed you and cried with relief. With you back in my arms, all was right with the world again.

Ricky stood up from the rocking chair. He snapped the little door shut in his costume, closing off his face, leaving only his eyes barely visible through dark mesh. What was left was a bizarre caricature of the monster, seven feet tall, with mismatched fur top and bottom, and red eyes and sharp teeth painted onto the papier-mâché head. It was so false, so fake. And yet the whole effect of it was terrifying enough to make me feel as if I were ten years old again.

“Be at the party at the 126 on Saturday,” he said.

“What?”

“I want everyone to see we’re together again.”

“I can’t go. I have Shelby.”

“Find someone to watch her.”

“I’m not going—” I insisted, prepared to shut him down, but then I stopped. I didn’t dare set him off again, not when he was acting like—like a monster. “All right. Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll be there.”

“Good.”

He towered over me in the corner. His gloved hand reached out like a paw to stroke under your chin. I shrank back, trying to shield you, but I was up against the wall and had nowhere to go. You began to cry again, afraid of his touch. He drew his hand back and curled it into a fist, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. Or do something worse.

“He bragged about it, you know,” Ricky snarled.

“Who?”

“Ajax.”

My stomach churned with fear. “Ajax? What about him? What are you talking about?”

“I called him. He bragged about you carrying his baby.”

I stared back at Ricky, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Except yes, I really could.

“Ajax? Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? I never slept with Ajax! How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“It’s too late to lie, Bec. Ajax found that out.”

“Oh my God! Oh shit! Ricky, what did you do?”

“I warned him,” he replied. Even though I couldn’t see it behind the mask, I heard the sadistic grin in his voice. “I warned him, but he didn’t believe I was serious. I told him the Ursulina was coming to get him.”

“Jesus Christ, Ricky. You idiot.”

“It’s better this way. We have a clean slate without him. I’m willing to forgive you, despite everything. You broke your vow, but with Ajax gone, we can start over. You, me, and our baby girl.”