"Stan! Congratulations." Annette stepped out of the car and looked me up and down, a challenge glittering in her eyes. "So this is Miss Kaufman? She really is pretty. No wonder you skipped my birthday party for her."
Stan's shoulders stiffened, barely perceptible.
He turned to Annette, a thread of anxiety woven through his voice. "Annette, what are you doing here?"
She pouted, sauntering over to loop her arm through his. "I just wanted to meet your new bride."
Then she pressed closer, tilting her face up at him. "Stan, my stomach's acting up again. Will you take me to the hospital? Please?"
Right in front of me. His wife of five minutes. She didn't even pretend to care.
Stan glanced back at me. "Jade, Annette's health isn't great. I'll take her to the hospital. The driver will bring you home."
It had been exactly like this the first time around. The day we got our marriage certificate, one phone call from Annette, and he was gone. I'd sat alone in that apartment all night, waiting like a fool. Back then, I'd actually believed he was just looking after her like a sister.
I gave them both a pleasant nod. "Sure. Take your time. I won't see you out."