Because some part of that threat had worked only if Emma had believed it was possible.
Why had she believed it?
What had Adrian missed?
The answer arrived in pieces.
Emma asking whether Lauren had to stay home with her when Adrian traveled.
Emma suddenly insisting on going to after-school care on Tuesdays.
Emma hiding food in a drawer.
Emma telling him she was “trying to be less difficult.”
He had praised her for being mature.
The memory made him sick.
Footsteps returned.
Lauren appeared carrying a designer suitcase.
She had changed from heels into flats.
Her face looked calm again.
Too calm.
She stopped near the kitchen.
“Adrian, can we talk privately?”
“No.”
“For five minutes.”
“No.”
“This marriage deserves more than this.”
Emma tightened her arms.
Adrian felt it.
“This marriage had three people in it.”
Lauren looked at Emma.
“That is precisely the problem.”
Adrian’s face became still.
“Leave.”
Lauren stared at him.
Then at Jonathan.
Then at Emma.
Something calculating replaced emotion.
“Fine.”
She reached into her purse.
Jonathan immediately stepped forward.
“What are you doing?”
Lauren laughed.
“Getting my keys.”
She removed them.
Then her phone.
Her thumb moved across the screen.
Jonathan frowned.
“Who are you calling?”
“My attorney.”
Adrian almost laughed.
“Good.”
Lauren looked at him.
“You should call yours too.”
Jonathan raised one hand.
“Technically, he brought him home.”
For one absurd second, nobody moved.
Then Lauren looked at Jonathan.
“You’re going to represent him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m a witness now.”
Her expression changed again.
She had not considered that.
Adrian had.
Jonathan was not simply his best friend.
He was general counsel for Bennett Ridge Holdings.
One of the most cautious lawyers in Boston.
Jonathan said quietly, “Lauren, if I were you, I would leave without saying anything else.”
She looked at him.
“Is that legal advice?”
“No.”
He glanced toward Emma.
“Human advice.”
Lauren picked up her suitcase.
Before leaving, she looked at Adrian.
“You are going to regret this.”
Emma flinched.
Adrian saw it.
He stepped between them.
“No.”
His voice was calm.
“I’m going to regret not seeing it sooner.”
Lauren left.
The front door closed.
Adrian locked it.
Then stood with one hand against the wood.
For several seconds he could not move.
Jonathan approached.