Chapter 1

I found an empty box in Ethan's study.

It should have held a stack of wish coupons that read: "Ethan promises to unconditionally fulfill one wish for Zara."

I made them by hand during our first year of marriage. He said he'd save them up, and we'd cash them in slowly when we were old.

Now, the box was empty.

He used the last one a week ago.

I saw it with my own eye. He handed that coupon to Blair, his voice gentle.

"Blair, ask for anything you want."

And I stood outside the hospital room, having just lost our second child.

My phone buzzed. A message from Ethan popped up.

"Zara, I'll have my assistant take you to handle the paperwork tomorrow. Blair's emotionally unstable. I need to stay with her."

I touched my flat stomach and suddenly remembered seven years ago.

He was at this same hospital, kneeling beside my bed with red eyes.

"Zara, I swear I'll never let you down in this lifetime."

How ridiculous.

The wish coupons were gone.

So was the love.

When I returned home from my hospital follow-up, my abdomen still ached with the dull pain from the D&C procedure.

A woman's soft laughter floated from the living room.

I steadied myself against the wall and saw Blair sitting on my sofa, wearing my silk bathrobe.

Ethan had his back to me, pouring her water.

"Ethan, Zara won't be upset that I'm wearing this, will she?"

Blair's voice was soft, her fingers brushing over the collar of the robe.

"She won't."

Ethan handed her the water, his tone carrying a tenderness I hadn't heard in ages.

"Your clothes were soaked through. You couldn't go home in wet clothes."

I stood in the shadows of the entryway, watching this scene, and suddenly the pain in my lower abdomen intensified.

"Ethan."

I spoke abruptly, my voice hoarse.

They both turned around.

A flash of panic crossed Ethan's eyes, but he quickly recovered.

He walked over, his tone softening.

"How was the follow-up? What did the doctor say? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

I didn't answer his questions. I just pointed at Blair.

"Why is she here? Why is she wearing my clothes?"

Blair immediately stood up, her eyes reddening on cue.

"Zara, I'm so sorry. The rain was so heavy today. I came to drop off some documents for Ethan and accidentally fell."

"I let her take a shower and change clothes."

Ethan interrupted her, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Zara, Blair's father just went into the ICU. You've always been kind. I'm sure you won't make a big deal out of this."

Make a big deal?

I clutched my stomach and suddenly laughed.

Ethan's brow furrowed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at myself."

I looked up at him, my eyes so dry they hurt.

"Ethan, we lost our child."

"Last week, I was on the operating table alone. I signed the consent form alone. I heard the doctor say alone that everything had been cleared out."

"And you were here, pouring water for another woman, letting her wear my bathrobe."

With each sentence I spoke, Ethan's face grew paler.

Blair spoke up on cue, her voice tearful.

"Ethan, I didn't know Zara had surgery. I really didn't know."

"It's not your fault."

Ethan patted the back of her hand, then turned to me.

"Zara, I'm sorry about the child, but Blair's father was in critical condition. A life at stake. Surely that's more important than-"

"More important than my child."

I finished the sentence for him.

"I know. I understand. The bigger picture comes first."

I walked into the living room, heading straight for Blair.

She instinctively stepped back, but I grabbed the belt of the bathrobe.

"Take it off."

I said calmly.

"This is my robe. You don't deserve to wear it."

Blair's eyes grew redder as she looked pleadingly at Ethan.

Ethan stepped forward, instinctively gripping my wrist.

"Zara!"

Seeing my pale face, he quickly let go, his tone urgent.

"Are you okay? I was just worried."

"It's just a robe. If you don't like that Blair wore it, throw it away. I'll buy you a new one."

When I looked up, I saw Ethan standing protectively in front of Blair.

"Blair, go rest in the guest room."

He said softly, turning his head.

Then he turned to me, his voice softening.

"Zara, about the child-we can have another one."

I didn't speak. I just turned and walked toward the bedroom.

He followed, gently wrapping his arms around me from behind, his chin resting in the curve of my shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"I should have been with you yesterday, but Blair's dad suddenly went into emergency. She couldn't handle it alone. To keep everything stable, I had to be there for her."

It was always like this.

When Blair needed him, he had to go.

And when I needed him, I was always second to the bigger picture.