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chicken for dinner. While I cook dinner, Emma sets at the
dinner table and helps the kids with their homework. I smile and
realize that I like being here. I haven’t cooked for someone other
than Rae and me in a long time.
    “ What are you smiling
about?” Emma asks, as she wraps her arms around my
waist. 
    I turn around and return her hug. “You, I
like being here with you and our kids.” 
    “ Me, too. This feels so
normal. I forgot to tell you that Cheryl and Danny think it is a
wonderful idea that we invite your family to James’ birthday
party.” 
    I look at her and she is smiling. “Ok, I’ll
call mom later and let them know what time and give them the
directions.” 
    “ I already did. She is also
going to let your sister and two brothers know.” 
    After dinner, baths, and bedtime, I help Emma
clean up the kitchen. She tells me about Angel coming into work and
shows me the pictures from Angel and Mason’s wedding. I smile at
how happy James and Emma look. I also smile at how happy I
look.
    “ I’m going to frame them and
put them around the house,” she says, putting the pictures back
into the envelope. 
    “ That’s a good
idea.” 
    “ I think we need to get our
pictures taken with Raelynn. I wish she was in these
ones.” 
    “ You mean like a family
portrait?” I ask. 
    “ I did. Do you think it’s
too soon? I’m sorry, maybe that isn’t such a good idea.” She looks
up at me with a sad smile. “I don’t want her to feel left out
because she isn’t in these wedding pictures.” 
    I touch her cheek softly. “I think that is a
wonderful idea. We need a picture with all of us in it.” 
    “ Really? You don’t think
it’s too soon?” 
    “ No, I think now is a
perfect time.” 
    Emma
    I get a pillow and blanket and help Alec make
his bed on the couch for the night. I kiss him goodnight and go to
bed, alone. 
    When I walk into the bedroom, there is a note
on my bed with Alec’s handwriting on it.
    Baby, although I am in the
next room, I feel like I am miles away from you. Sleep well and
dream of me. I love you, Alec  
    The next morning, I kiss Alec goodbye and
drop Raelynn and then James off at school. I left a little early
because I didn’t want to take the chance of being late for
work.
    I pull into the parking lot at work and I am
surprised to see that I am the only one here. Before I can unlock
the office door, someone calls my name. 
    “ Emma?” 
    I turn around and I am surprised to see Molly
standing near the corner of the office building. She is wearing a
pair of old jeans and a tee shirt. I look around and I don’t see
anyone else with her. “Yes?” I say, as I slowly walk over to
her.
    “ How does it feel to be a
home wrecker?” she asks, and I think her words are
slurred. 
    “ Excuse me?” I ask, because
I can’t believe what she just said. 
    “ You heard me. I have been
watching you playing the wife to my husband and the mommy to my
little girl. How does it feel to know that you destroyed my home,
my family?” 
    “ You think I’m the reason
you and Alec aren’t together?” 
    “ Yes, and don’t believe
everything he says — he’s isn’t the man that you think he
is.”
    A voice calls from behind me, “Emma, is
everything all right?”
    I turn around and see Sara getting out of her
car. I try to smile at her as I say, “It’s fine.” 
    I turn back around to ask Molly what she
means by that, but she is walking away. I get a cold chill and walk
back to where Sara is standing. 
    “ Who was
that?” 
    Oh, she doesn’t know that is Alec’s wife.
“Just someone asking for directions,” I lie. 
    We work well into lunch and
I get a text from Alec, saying he’ll pick the kids up from school.
My mind drifts back to Molly and her chilling words. “Don’t believe everything he says — he isn’t the
man that you think he is.” I get another
chill and run my hands up and down my arms. What did she mean by
that?
    I sit at my computer