Chapter 1

On our seventh wedding anniversary, my husband bought out an entire jewelry counter—for our daughter’s preschool teacher.

Ever since the "kidnapping," Poppy won’t let go of Sienna Blake, the private preschool teacher who saved her.

She wants Sienna to hold her. She wants Sienna to eat lunch with her.

She wants Sienna to be her new mom.

And my husband, Declan, gets a call from Sienna every single day.

"Mr. Ward, Poppy’s asking if I can take her out to dinner."

"Declan, she’s been so quiet lately. Is her mom being hard on her again?"

"Dec, she’s coming down with a little cold. Don’t forget to pick up some medicine."

By the time I realize how wrong Sienna sounds, I realize something else too.

Declan used to complain to me about her calling all the time. He hasn’t in ages.

When I bring it up, he brushes me off. "Sienna’s just looking out for Poppy. Don’t read into it."

He drops a pile of shopping bags on the floor. He bought the jeweler’s entire couples’ collection. "It’s Teacher Appreciation Day. She deserves something big."

Poppy’s still shaken from the "kidnapping." For her, I can bend. And bend. And keep bending.

But not for Declan.

"Where’s my gift?" I ask quietly.

Declan frowns. "You want a Teacher Appreciation gift? Ask your students’ parents. Why are you asking me?"

He forgot. Today isn’t just Teacher Appreciation Day.

It’s our seventh wedding anniversary.

Back then, he swore he’d save up and buy me a real diamond ring.

Now there are little velvet jewelry boxes scattered all over the floor, and not one of them holds my ring.

I’ve waited seven years. Way too long.

So long I forgot I was allowed to walk away.

I wait up until midnight.

It’s May 7th now. Our anniversary is over.

Declan still isn’t home.

I open Sienna’s Instagram again.

Four hours ago, she posted a photo. Declan and Poppy are both grinning, and the location tag makes my eyes sting. It’s a couples’ restaurant downtown.

[Teaching is hard. So lucky to have you two by my side. 💕]

The comments are nothing but hearts and envy.

[Your husband and your little girl are SO sweet to you!]

Yeah. So sweet.

I can’t remember the last time Declan took me out to dinner.

Or the last time Poppy smiled at me.

I stare at the photo. The three of them look like the real family.

My phone rings.

Mom sounds giddy. "So? Did you tell him? What did Dec say?"

"I didn’t call earlier because I didn’t want to interrupt your celebration. Another baby! Is he over the moon?"

I touch my stomach. This was supposed to be my surprise for Declan today.

But he never came home.

"Mom, Declan’s… not home yet."

I force a smile. "He took Poppy out to dinner with her teacher."

The line goes quiet.

I look down. "Don’t tell him about the baby. Not yet."

Mom asks carefully, "Honey, what are you going to do about Declan?"

I don’t have an answer for that.

Declan gets home close to one.

Poppy’s asleep on his shoulder, still smiling.

"Why are you still up?"

He tucks her into bed. When he sees me still on the couch, he frowns. "What now? I told you this morning we were going out."

My heart sinks.

This morning, he said he was taking Poppy out to celebrate Sienna.

I thought it was a cover story. That he was secretly planning something for me.

Turns out he really forgot. Completely.

I look up. "Declan, where’s my gift?"

"Go ask your students’ parents for gifts. Why are you asking me?"

"You really forgot?" My voice is soft.

He stops at the bathroom door and turns around.

His face is blank, like I’m bringing up something that doesn’t matter.

"I didn’t forget. Seventh anniversary."

My heart leaps. I look up at him.

His voice goes even colder.

"I remembered, Elise. I just don’t think it’s worth celebrating."

"Poppy wanted to have dinner with Sienna. Sienna saved her life, and it’s Teacher Appreciation Day. I know what my priorities are."

Seven years together, and I’m not even one of his priorities.

Seven years ago today, we get married.

He said, "Lise, I want every single one of your days to be mine."

"Even Teacher Appreciation Day. You’re spending it with me."

He’s the one who made that promise. And he’s the one who broke it.

The color drains from my face. I crush the ultrasound photo in my fist and tear it to pieces.

Declan glances over. "What’s that?"

I don’t look up. I keep my voice light. "Nothing."

"Just a surprise I had for you. Doesn’t matter now. Don’t worry, you’ll never have to know about it."