Chapter 3

The next morning I call in sick and drive to the state lottery office.

Ten million dollars. Roughly seven million after taxes. Wired directly into my bank account.

I sit in the parking lot afterward, staring at the number on my phone screen. All those zeroes.

It should feel like freedom. In a way, it does. Just not the kind I want.

I don't get home until almost noon.

The moment I open the front door, I smell cooking, garlic, butter, something roasting.

Jack is in the kitchen. He has dark circles under his eyes. He clearly hasn't slept.

He sees me and smiles, soft and warm. He unties his apron.

"Hey. You're back. Come eat."

I sit down. The table is covered with my favorite dishes.

Jack reaches over to stroke my hair. I pull away.

He doesn't push it. Just puts a piece of grilled asparagus on my plate.

"The restaurant last night didn't have asparagus. I went to the farmer's market this morning to get some."

He's still so thoughtful. Still knows exactly what I like.

If it weren't for that lottery ticket, maybe we'd be happy.

Then, halfway through the meal, he says it.

"Mol, your parents' life insurance money. You still have it, right?"

My fork stops.

My parents died five years ago. The insurance payout was one million dollars. Blood money. The price tag on their lives.

I never touched a cent. All through college, I ate ramen and saltines, worked double shifts until two a.m., and I never, ever dipped into that account.

Jack knows this.

He sighs. "Look, after what happened last night, Vivian's pride took a real hit. She's already submitted her withdrawal from the program."

I say nothing.

"I want to set up a research project for her. Something to pull her back in. She's been dreaming about this one for years. The thing is, I'm a little short on liquid cash right now. I was hoping I could borrow two hundred thousand. Just until the funding comes through."

The air between us goes still.

I laugh quietly. "Jack. She matters that much to you?"

"Molly, you don't understand. She's the most talented person I've met in ten years. She has a real future, she could change the field. I can't just let that go to waste."

I've heard this speech so many times I could recite it in my sleep.

From the very first day Vivian transferred into his department, Jack couldn't stop talking about her. Cold, logical Jack, who never gets excited about anything, suddenly couldn't shut up about his new colleague.

At first it was complaints. She won't stop trying to transfer out. She hates astrophysics.

Then it shifted. She's actually brilliant, you know. She solved something today that's been bugging me for weeks. Just tossed it off like it was nothing.

I always told myself it was professional admiration. Two geniuses recognizing each other.

Until last night, when I finally understood what it really is.

I set my fork down. "I'm not touching that money. Drop it."

Jack tries once more, patient, reasonable. "Molly. Can you really stand by and watch someone that talented throw it all away?"

"That's your problem, Jack. Not mine."

He stands up. Walks to the entryway. Pulls on his coat.

"I know you're still upset. But nothing happened between us. Yes, she has feelings for me, but I never crossed a line. Not once."

I stay seated. I don't look up. Not even when the door closes behind him.

I'm done guessing who he loves.

I pick up my phone and book a one-way flight to Cape Cod.

Departing next week.