Chapter 9 . Rosalind pulled out her phone and dialed . He answered swiftly . " Rosa ? " " Christopher , where are you tight now ? " " Office . What's up ? " Rosalind watched him in the rearview mirror , his one hand clasping Latoya's , the other holding the phone to his car . The irony was almost laughable . Latoya started to speak , but Christopher raised a hand to stop her . He pointed to the phone , then pressed a finger to his lips in a silent ' shush ' . " Rosa , do you want anything from that patisserie in La Porte ? I can buy some on my way home . " " No need . " " But you used to love their matcha petit fours ? " " Used to , " Rosalind replied . " People change . Things you once adored lose their appeal . " Christopher's tone tightened slightly . " Rosa , you sound off . Did something happen ? " " No. Don't let me keep you from work . " Christopher returned home later , the box of petits fours in hand . He found Rosalind in the study , sorting through old photo albums . They had known each other for so long . Their journey stretched from student days deep into adulthood . They had traveled together and shared a life . Just the photo albums chronicling their school years filled four or five volumes . Seeing the photos stirred something in Christopher , too . He bent behind her , loosely encircling her with his arms . " What brought on the nostalgia trip ? " Rosalind asked , " You're home early again ? " He chuckled softly . " Missed my wife . Came back to keep you company . " Rosalind stacked the albums and placed them in a cardboard box . Her fingers closed around the lighter she'd palmed earlier , slipping it unnoticed into her jeans pocket. She'd planned to burn these memories while he lingered with his mistress . His early return had disrupted that . " Sweetheart , I get the feeling you're not thrilled I'm home early to be with you ? " Rosalind stood up , deftly avoiding the arm reaching for her waist . " Work should come first . " He clung to her . " Work isn't half as important as you . " 19:52 8.0 < Chapter 9 He leaned closer , his lips brushing her ear " You've been distant lately , Ross . Did I do something wrong ? Are you angry with me ? " Once , this closeness was bliss . Now , with the seed of betrayal taking root , it felt repulsive . The thought of those arms around her waist , arms that had just held another woman , and the lips seeking hers , perhaps having kissed another woman , made her stomach churn , especially when she caught the lingering scent on him . It wasn't his usual cologne , but the unmistakable fragrance of a department store perfume counter . Who spent hours in a department store ? The answer was glaringly obvious . Rosalind shoved Christopher away with surprising force and bolted for the bathroom , retching violently . Christopher followed , rubbing her back and handing her a tissue . His worried frown seemed genuine . " What brought this on ? Bad food ? Liza ! " The housekeeper hurried in . " Sir ? " " What did she eat for lunch ? Was anything off ? We hired you specifically to manage her diet and delicate stomach ! Why is she suddenly sick ? " Liza looked bewildered . " Mrs . Foret didn't eat lunch here , sir . She went out . Perhaps something she ate wasn't fresh ? " Christopher's brow furrowed , his voice low with disapproval . " Street food is filthy . Pre - made meals are suspect . If you want something , have Liza make it here . Why go out ? " Rosalind , still dizzy from vomiting , felt a fresh wave of anger . " Christopher , are you trying to cage me ? Do I need permission to leave my house ? " " I only want to protect you . I worry when you're out alone . Tell me where you want to go , and I'll drive you there . " Rosalind let out a bitter laugh . " Do you have the time ? " Between running his company and entertaining his mistress , did he sprout extra limbs ? Christopher studied her for a moment . He pulled out another tissue , gently dabbing the sweat from her forehead . " What kind of question is that ? For you ? Always . Rosa , after all these years , surely you know where my heart lies ? " < Chapter 10 . Chapter 10 .