Chapter 2

The plane landed in Nantucket. I'd just checked into my hotel when an e-vite popped up on my phone.

[Aldrich Family Annual Charity Gala & Official Introduction of the Children]

The date was tomorrow. Our fifth wedding anniversary.

My name was on the invite, along with Reid's and the three kids'.

Then the gala coordinator called.

"Mr. Aldrich said all the older members of the Aldrich family will be there this year, and you'll accompany the three children as they're formally introduced to the family at dinner."

I called Reid right away.

"Why is my name on the invitation?"

"Well, you know everything now. No point hiding the kids anymore."

Not a trace of panic in his voice.

"Tomorrow's the family's annual charity gala. The whole Aldrich family will be there. If you show up, it'll go a lot smoother getting the kids accepted."

I said coldly:

"I'm not going."

He paused.

"You will. The ticket's already booked. Don't embarrass the Aldrich family."

He didn't need me.

He just needed Mrs. Aldrich to give her approval on behalf of those three women.

I hung up and texted the coordinator:

[I won't be attending, and I won't be accepting those three children.]

That afternoon, the front desk sent up a navy velvet box. Inside was a pair of emerald earrings.

The card read: [Happy fifth anniversary. I'm coming to Nantucket to bring you home.]

I'd only ever seen that jewelry collection once—in the family vault.

Reid said it was passed down to every Mrs. Aldrich.

Then Tatum's Instagram popped up.

In the photo, she, Greer, and Neve were each wearing a piece from the same collection.

[Reid divided up the family jewelry and let us choose first. The emerald earrings were left over—perfect for keeping his wife happy.]

Greer commented below:

[She's not actually gonna think he picked them out just for her, is she?]

I looked down at the earrings.

Three women got one piece each. Whatever was left over went to me.

In the corner of the photo, I spotted a travel confirmation. I zoomed in.

Reid, Tatum, Greer, Neve, and the three kids.

Seven people, flying to Nantucket the day after tomorrow.

Tatum posted again:

[Archer wants to see the beluga whales at the Nantucket aquarium. Reid changed the whole itinerary overnight.]

So Reid wasn't here for me.

He was here on vacation with three women and their kids—and figured he'd bring me back while he was at it.

The full itinerary was right there on Instagram.

The aquarium, the zoo, family camping, and a family portrait by the lake.

I read it from beginning to end. Every stop was in exactly the same order.

Two years ago, when I first found out I was pregnant, I'd stayed up all night putting together a Nantucket family trip itinerary.

The first page said:

[Once you're born, this is the first place Mom and Dad will take you.]

I sent it to Reid, so happy.

He replied with three words:

[Won't need it.]

I thought he just really didn't like kids.

That same day, Neve asked in the group chat:

[Isn't this the itinerary she made when she was pregnant?]

Reid replied:

[She's getting the surgery tomorrow. Won't need it.]

[The three kids will like it just fine.]

The travel confirmation had three family suites booked.

Different mothers' names. Same father on every single one: Reid Aldrich.

He'd taken the entire seven-day trip I'd planned for my own child and given it, unchanged, to the three children he'd had with other women.

I handed the box back to the front desk.

"Please send this back exactly as it came. I don't want anything from Reid Aldrich."

Then I checked out and rented a short-term apartment in the old town.

Reid could come to Nantucket.

But he was never going to know where I lived.