My plan was to beat the hell out of the camera, lock all the doors, and threaten to call the police if he came near me. That was the only strategy I could come up with, but somehow, barricading myself inside a tiny house with no food didn’t seem like the way to go.

A groan escaped from my mouth as my eyes glared at the stupid camera. An audible breath slipped between my lips¸ sputtering them with a feeling of conquest disbelief. My life was destined to eternal hell and no matter what way I turned, it led in that same direction. My guardian angel had a messed up sense of humor. Just when I thought I could see a glow at the end of the tunnel, another obstruction blocked my view and everything went dark. A metaphor for my life.

Next came the woe is me, poor Gabby, I’m doomed, feeling sorry for myself phase. For whatever reason, I knew that feeling wasn’t the best plan either; that behavior would land me right back where I came from. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be there anymore, and furthermore, I had a whole other person depending on me. I couldn’t sink inside myself; that may have worked before, but not now. Not with knowing about Vander. I had to make him my first stop.

With the gush of rejuvenation, I straightened my posture, grabbed the M&M pack with Mi’s number, and walked out the back door with my phone. Of course it rang right away.

“Hey, what’s up?” I said in a cheerful tone as my toes met warm sand, just off the pebbled sidewalk.

“Are you serious right now, Gabriella? Go back inside,” Paxton ordered. I didn’t need to see the look on his face to see the displeasure, I heard it in his tone. I’d seen it many times.

“I can’t. I’ve got to make a few calls that I don’t want you to hear. I’ll be back later.”

“Go the fuck inside.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Gab—”

Once again the nerve thing took over my body, the effects of defying Paxton. At least it was easier to stand my ground through the phone. I didn’t have to worry about his strong hands around my throat that way. I think that helped calm the crackling in my voice.

Again, I answered the ringing phone, this time with a little more attitude. “What, Paxton? You’re not the boss of me.”

He laughed. Paxton laughed, but I wasn’t sure why. “I am the boss of you, little girl. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll turn around and go back inside the cottage.”

“Will you stop with that shit? I’m not your property,” I assured him, arms flailing in the air with my elevated voice.

“You are, baby girl. I bought and paid for you many times over. You think that new car out there was free? You think that swimming pool outside maintains itself? You think your clothes just magically appeared? Get your fucking ass in that house. You don’t want me to come after you.”

The threat pissed me off more than anything. I wasn’t scared at all. That may or may not have been due to the distance between us. I’m guessing it was, but nonetheless, I had brass balls and I was using them.

“Go ahead, Paxton. Come down here and bully me back to the house. See what happens.”

Another laugh, but not the kind that makes you want to laugh, too. This one was rebellious, angry, and downright evil. Enough so that it caused a chill to run down my spine. “Are you threatening me, Gabriella?”

“Didn’t you just threaten me? Look, I have to do something that you’re not going to understand. I’m not coming into that house with you. I will see the girls tomorrow while you work, and then I am coming back to the cottage. I don’t know how things were before, but they can’t be that way now.”

“What the fuck does that even mean, Gabriella? Are you threatening divorce? It will be a cold day in hell before I grant you that wish. You’re a slut, I made you, and I can break you. You will never see the day that you’re not a Pierce. Do you understand me? Hmm? You got that, slut?”

And just like that the anger bled through the phone, soaking me with the same infuriating fury that Paxton showed me. “Like I said before, fuck you. I didn’t marry you. Gabriella Delgardo married you. You’re supposedly the smart one. Prove that one.”

Silence filled the air between us and I knew I had just winded him enough to render him speechless. For a moment anyway. “You want to play that card, Gabriella? You really want to go there?”

“Did you know that identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints? Did you know that Paxton?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why all the lies, Gabriella?”

I heard Rowan call for her dad for the second time in the background. “Tell you what? That I had an identical twin? You tell me why I didn’t tell you. I don’t even remember the day I met you, let alone the day I married you. Why Paxton? Why didn’t you know I had a twin?”

“I’ve got to go cut up Rowans steak. Where are you going?”

“Not far. I plan on going back to the cottage, but not your house.”

“You can’t do this, Gabriella. This isn’t the way I played my hand.”

“What? You don’t like me calling your bluff? Show me your hand, Paxton. I’ll show you mine.”

Paxton and I exchanged hidden threats, each reading them loud and clear with the same meaning. “We’ll talk later.”

“I’m sure we will. Give the girls a kiss for me.”

I sort of stopped along the beach, thinking about Paxton and his stupid games. I knew exactly what his plan entailed; me being his submissive and bowing down to his every command. Had it not been for Van, I would have probably done just that for Rowan and Phi. But I couldn’t, not yet, not until I found the answers. I didn’t need Paxton Pierce to help me, I’d find them myself. He could play all the games he wanted to play. I was done. I gave up, forfeiting to my obstinate husband, stomping away with defeated anger.

Frowning at my handwriting on the folded candy wrapper, I tried to decipher the fifth number. It was either a seven, a four, or a nine. I couldn’t really tell, but the third time was the charm. It took two wrong numbers before I heard Mi’s voice.

“Dr. Chin.”

“Mi, it’s me.”

“Oh, my God, Gabby. I’ve been going out of my mind waiting for you to call. I even meditated on it. Hmm, I bet that’s why you called, it worked,” Mi explained, her voice elevating to a happy high.

I shook my head at her adult attention deficit disorder and her crazy culture. “Mi, why? Why did you want me to call?”

“Hey, how are you calling?”

“I’ll explain later. Did you find something?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure you want to hear it.”

Oh, man. That wasn’t what I hoped for at all. “What? Tell me. Did you find the Walkers?”

“Yes and no. I found Mrs. Walker. Mr. Walker died in an automobile accident eight years ago. Mrs. Walker is now Mrs. Phillips.”

I hadn’t even realized I’d stopped walking until I felt the cool water wrap around my ankles. I looked down and continued, going nowhere in a hurry. “Okay, did you talk to her? What did she say?”

“She hasn’t talked to Izzy in over three years. She said she tried to help her, but Izzy wouldn’t take it. She lost everything, her house, her business, and her kid because of drugs.”

“But I was with her. I didn’t get that from her when Nick hypnotized me. She’s all better now,” I said while feeling an instant need to defend her. Like I knew her.

“I felt like that, too. Regardless of Izzy’s soberness, that lead is dead, but don’t worry. I’ve got someone looking for Vander right now. Where are you?”

“You’re not going to believe me if I tell you.”

“You’re not with him, are you?”

“No, not really. I planned on camping out at our little cottage, but Paxton had a camera in there. He found me before I had a chance to be missing.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. He wants me to come home, but I told him no.”

“Good for you. Is this your phone? He gave it to you?”

“Sort of. Paxton doesn’t do anything for me without personal gain. This is his way of tracking my every move.” I may not have remembered who the hell I was, but I was smart enough to know Paxton’s motives by now. Without a doubt, I knew his eyes were on a little red dot and a map. I was the red dot.

“Okay, so what now?”

“I’ve got to go see Candace.”

“The guy’s wife that you cheated with?”

“That hasn’t been confirmed yet.”

“Yeah, okay. I don’t like it. That’s not a good idea. Let me come with you.”

“No, I’m fine. What’s the worst that can happen?”

“She could break your nose. I’m a baby doctor, not a plastic surgeon.”

For a brief second, I thought about it, but I refrained. I didn’t want to cause any more riffraff between her and Nick. “I have to go right now while his car his gone.”

“That’s an even worse idea. She can feed you to the sharks without anyone even knowing you were there. You better call me as soon as you leave.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Turn your phone off until you leave.”

“Oh, smart thinking. You’re way better at this than me.”

“That’s why you should let me go with you.”

“I’m fine, Mi. Thanks for everything. I’ll call you later.”

“As soon as you leave,” she ordered.

The advice about not letting Paxton track me was the best guidance Mi could have given me. I hadn’t even thought about that. Paxton would be on Candace’s doorstep in no time. I powered off my phone, seeing the full battery in the top corner. I wouldn’t be using that one as an excuse.

I felt like a criminal, lurking in the woods as I zigged zagged my way in and out of the neighborhood. Ducking behind buildings, outdoor kitchens, and even a trashcan heightened my sneakiness, leaving me feeling like more of an outsider than I already was. If Tricia saw me she’d be on the phone with Paxton first, and then Candace. That’s why I ducked behind her trashcan. She opened her front door while on the phone, but only her hand and half her body stepped out for the mail, not me. That one caused adrenaline to pump wilder through my veins. Jesus. My heart couldn’t take much more of that. Those people who craved adrenaline like a junkie, were crazy. I hated that feeling, and it seemed like I felt it way more than the normal person did. Of course I did. I was sneaking through backyards and diving behind garbage. Gah.

I took a deep breath, willing courage into my lungs as I made it to the side door. I knew from the girl’s coming over that it led to a shower house for pool guests. The neighborhood women were the only ones to use it. Anyone else would have used the front door.

One push to the doorbell button, and two quick knocks. My fingers flailed with my rapid breaths while I waited, dancing back and forth from foot to foot.

Crap. I wasn’t expecting Chance to answer. I didn’t have any planned words for her mommy, this was worse. Thank God, Chance made it easy for me.

“Gabriella!” she called, excited to see me while she hugged my legs.

I smiled and ran my hand down her hair and back. “Hi, sweetie. How are you?”

“I didn’t see you for a long time. Where’s Rowan and Ophelia? I want to play with them.”

Just when I was about to reply, Candace spoke from a few feet away.

“They’re with their dad right now. Go finish your piano lesson. You have twenty more minutes.”

“I want to play with Rowan and Ophelia,” she whined with a frown while crossing her arms defiantly.

“Maybe Tricia can bring them over tomorrow. Go practice,” Candace ordered again, shooing her away with a light shove.

“Bye, Gabriella,” Chance said while giving up, listening to her mother.

“Bye, sweetie,” I said with a warm smile. I realized at that moment that I missed her, too. Not so much her mom, but definitely her.

“Well, you have a lot of nerve,” Candace instantly began.

The cocky attitude I’d assembled disappeared when I saw the look in her eyes. I hurt her and I didn’t even remember it. My shoulders dropped as I lost the last of my boldness.

“I’m so sorry, Candace.”

“Yeah, I know. You’re so sorry, but you don’t know what for, right, Gabby? Or is it Izzy?”

I didn’t respond because I didn’t know how to. What did one say to that? It was true, I didn’t really know what I was sorry for, and truth be known, I was a fraud. I didn’t deserve to be called Gabriella.

“What do you want?”

“I want to know what you know.”

“No you don’t.”

“I do. Please, Candace. I don’t know who else to turn to.”

“Did you try my husband? I’m sure he’d love to help.”

I took a deep breath and dropped my eyes to the sandstone tile. With my head nodded to the floor, I spoke with a quiet, yet desperate tone. “I know something happened between Lane and I, but I swear to God, I don’t know what. You said you hired someone. I heard you tell the other girls. At least tell me what he found.”

Candace stormed off, leaving me standing there alone, caught off guard. I looked around with wide eyes, wondering what I was supposed to do. Was that it? She was just going to leave it like that?

“Here, I told Lane I already got rid of this when I agreed to move away from here and give it another shot. This is all I’ve got. There’s more, but I’m not going to be the one to let that one out of the bag. Talk to your husband.”

I took the gold envelope and frowned at her. “You can’t do that. That’s like girl code or something. You can’t tell me there’s more, but you’re not telling me. How fair is that?”

“You broke the girl code when you fucked my husband. Lucky for you, I believe him when he says it was years ago when we first moved here. I don’t know what goes on between you and Paxton behind closed doors, and I don’t care to. All I want to do is leave this place and get the hell out of here. Goodbye, Gabriella.”

Again, I was left with no words. Why the hell couldn’t someone just be straight with me? I didn’t return the goodbye. I stared at her, speechless with the new information she gave me. Information that I knew would leave me wanting more.

My sneaking through the neighborhood ceased as I made my way back, using the sidewalk instead of the backyards. It didn’t much matter who saw me now, except the girls. I was careful to avoid my own house.

Just as I was about to walk behind Paxton’s shop the sunset caught my eye. The darkness was held up by the sun kissing the ocean, a few more minutes and night would fall all around. The reds mixed with purple and yellow glistened against the water, leaving me with a feeling of loss. Like when my mom died. I felt like an orphan all over again, alone and frightened.

The entire mesmerizing view was gone at precisely the same moment I felt the wetness between my legs. Not the good kind either. “Damnit,” I said aloud as I carried on my journey to the cottage, powering on my phone for the flashlight. Why hadn’t I thought about that? I was never late. Clockwork and my period were a team with a schedule. I needed tampons from the house. I rushed along, using the light from my phone to unlock the back door, praying to find at least one in my little bathroom.

My hand went in first, flipping the switch for light. Light that never came. All I could do was laugh. The bastard turned off the power. The ridiculous giggle was for how stupid he was. I didn’t think for one second that he’d leave it off. The camera didn’t work without electricity. The laughter continued when I answered his call without a hello.

“What the fuck are you doing? Don’t turn that phone off again, do you understand me, Gabriella?”

“Yeah, sure, Paxton,” I said in a nonchalant tone, heading straight to the little bathroom behind the rice paper room divider. Sure enough, it was there. A bright red stain in my new panties. I leaned over, trying to use the light to dig for something to use. Nothing. Not one freaking tampon, not one pad, and only a half roll of toilet paper. The one on the holder.

“Where did you go?”

“You want the truth or do you want to continue with the lies?”

“I don’t like this side of you, Gabriella. You need to stop.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not really Gabriella, so—” I said while dragging out the word.

“Where the fuck were you?”

“I went to see Candace.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know what the fuck is going on. You won’t tell me anything, so I’m going to find out myself. Did you know Lane and Candace were leaving? Lane already gave his notice.”

“I don’t care where they go. What did she tell you?”

“Turn the power back on and you’ll find out.”

“How? What do you mean?”

“She gave me the envelope from her private investigator. You know, the same one you hired to find out where I went the day I wrecked? Bet you wish you could do that day over, huh?”

“And what, Gabriella? Seeing those photos is going to make you feel better? Knowing you fucked your friend’s husband is the answer you’re looking for?”

“No, not even close. That’s just one piece of a thousand piece puzzle. One that I am managing to put together on my own,” I explained while I walked to the kitchen to find the paper towel rack empty, too. Damn. “I need to come up there and get a few things.”

“Okay, come on up, but you’re not leaving.”

“Forget it, I’ll call someone else,” I countered. I didn’t give him a chance to rebuttal. Mi was on the other line, beeping in my ear. She could get me tampons.

“Are you still there? You’re worrying me sick,” Mi admitted when I clicked over.

“No, but I just started my period and I don’t have anything. Can you bring me something?”

“Sorry, we only have one car. Nick just left for his chess club. What did you find out?”

I rolled my eyes at Paxton’s name blinking across my phone. “Nothing yet. She gave me an envelope, basically telling me that’s all she’s got, and to never bother her again.”

“What’s in it?”

“I don’t know yet. Paxton shut the power off on me. I can’t see shit.”

“Asshole.”

“Right? Let me look around for a candle or a flashlight. I’ll call you in a little while.”

“Ugh, okay fine. I got the number for a Miss Chadwick. She’s Vander’s social worker.”

“Oh, perfect. You’re awesome. I love you,” I boasted. Why, I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like I could call her and explain this crazy mess. Hello, this is Gabriella, but I’m really Izzy. I’ll be coming after Van now. That wouldn’t work.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Call me later, but do it before ten.”

“Okay, see ya,” I said while switching over to Paxton’s call—again. I knew what Mi meant. Nick would be home at ten and she didn’t want him to know she was still meddling.

“What? I’m trying to find a tampon.”

“I’m sure you have some up here. Come home, Gabriella. The girls are expecting you to be here when they wake up. Have you even eaten today? I have a plate ready for you. Your favorite.”

I laughed with that one. “You’re a funny man. Like you even know what my favorite is.”

“Shrimp scampi, minus the shrimp. Just the sauce over those little bow ties you like. Broccoli on top, sprinkled with real parmesan and garlic with butter and Italian dressing drizzled lightly over it all.”

All of my motions stopped, shocked into a frozen state. I could have sworn I heard my stomach growl. To say I was impressed was an understatement. I did make that a lot. The girls loved it, and Paxton complained every time, eating more than his fair share.

“You can’t bully me into coming home, Paxton.”

“Yes I can, Gabriella.”

“You had me arrested. You didn’t even try to talk to me. You had me arrested.”

“Come up here. I’ll meet you out by the pool with a plate of food and a drink.”

“I can’t. I’m not that strong. I’m afraid I won’t leave.”

“I know. Come up here.”

“Fuck!” I audibly said to the blinking phone, assuring me that he wasn’t there. He hung up. I was screwed, and now hungry. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I said again. Fucker.

I used toilet paper for a makeshift pad, not about to go to him. No way. I knew how much control I had around Paxton Pierce. Zero. Zip. None. I wasn’t about to do that. No way.

I looked everywhere for anything that could portray light. Nothing. Not one damn candle, and the flashlight I found had corroded batteries. Deader than dead. I waited in the dark for as long as I could, using up the last bit of toilet paper. Walking around the room like a blind person, I felt my way around, remembering the little closet by the bed. Maybe I stored a candle or a freaking tampon in there. My fingers felt the wood and then the metal doorknob. The thought of something creepy and crawly crossed my mind as I touched a few clothes, an empty shoe box, and a loose board. I jerked my hand back when I felt the splinter, afraid for a second that I had gotten bit by a spider.

I screamed and slammed the little door when the lights magically came on, scaring the shit out of me. The whole cabinet shook, rocking back and forth until it steadied. I was going to prison for life. First-degree murder.

“You’re impossible. I hate you,” I said to the camera. The camera that wasn’t visible from the little cupboard. That got my attention as I recalled the second thump after I had slammed the door. Looking up again, just to make sure I wasn’t being watched, I cracked the door and looked inside, seeing the piece of wood on the floor and the same envelope as the one on my counter tucked away in the top of the closet.

I didn’t want to deal with Paxton. I wanted to see what the big secret was from Candace, and now this. I stared at the new information hidden above my head, debating my next move. I needed a tampon. That was my next move.

“I’m coming, but not because you told me to. I’m coming because I have blood running out of my vagina, and that’s it,” I assured the camera as I stepped around the wall, knowing he watched my every move.

Again, I stomped angrily away from the counter, leaving my evidence for later. Or so I thought. I’d just closed the door when he called again.

“Bring the envelope.”

“No way. You’ll take it and not let me see it. I’m not bringing it.”

“For Christ’s sake, Gabriella. Get the damn envelope, or I’m coming after it.”

“I’m seeing what’s inside,” I demanded while I once again submitted, consciously and unconsciously to his ways. It was the only way I knew. Once I had retrieved the folder, snatching it from the counter with rage, I sent a glower to the camera, and slammed the door. Dumb me even locked the damn thing, knowing I wouldn’t be back. Paxton would never let me leave again. Ever.

I gave myself a pep talk the entire way up to the house, until I saw him that is.

The moon high above, casting beauty to the magnificent ocean had nothing on the beauty it cast in front of me. A soft glow fell over a dark silhouette. His hands were above his head, holding onto the top of the screen door. No shirt, jeans and bare feet were revealed as I neared him. Him and his stupid smirk. My internal pep talk to stay strong, not to take his shit, and hold my ground was forgotten. Chastising my absurd self-took its place.

“Good evening, Mrs. Pierce. How are you?” Paxton asked through a sneer and narrowed eyes, his body barricading the door.

I turned my lips to the left, giving him half a smile while I wondered if this new ‘Mrs. Pierce’ was because he didn’t know what to call me anymore. Izabella or Gabriella.

Neither one of us spoke. I crossed my arms while he stayed planted, keeping me from entering through the screen door with his rock hard body. No doubt about it, I was doomed.

“I said, good evening,” he repeated.

I looked up, wishing he’d drop his hands from the door. The position zoned in on too many of his good qualities. Like the tan line around his waist and his jeans, hanging loosely over his hips. Like the way his abs showed every possible, defined muscle. Like the way his chest and arms bulged, reminding me of how they looked when he towered above. The image of my legs wrapped around him staring at the same build refused to leave my mind.

“Jesus, move,” I said as my hands touched him, one on his chest and one on his ribs. His solid body stayed still, unmoved by my attempt to sidestep him. My fingers relaxed and my senses heightened, feeling him, really feeling him, his skin warm against mine. The folder in my hand made a crinkling noise as I unconsciously slipped it to my armpit.

He didn’t move. Not at all. His eyes bored into mine, but I refused to look. I stared past his right arm, to the pink Lego underneath a chase lounge by the pool instead.

I bit hard on my bottom lip when his hands moved from above to me. His fingers wrapped lightly around both my wrists, and he pulled them away from his body. It wasn’t until then that I realized I was still touching him, and enjoying it.

“Kiss me.”

I tried like hell to hide my laugh, biting harder on the inside of my jaw. “You’re crazy. Like batshit crazy.”

Paxton laughed that time. A real laugh. Not the fake kind I was used to. “I wonder what that makes you.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat while I watched his mouth move toward mine. “Good point,” I agreed as our lips met. Who was I to call anyone crazy? The fact that I was now kissing the man who had me arrested a few days before deemed me crazier than anyone I knew. Raging lunatic. I didn’t kiss him back, not at first. Paxton parted my lips with his tongue and I let him. I was okay with that. It wasn’t until he lifted my shirt and ran his hands up my ribs that I liquefied into him. Stupid, stupid, endorphins. Just like that, I became a puddle of erotic hormones, a lovesick teenager in heat.

I kissed him back while my body melted into his, sending an array of ecstasy searing between us. Things heated up quick, and I completely forgot about my problem. Paxton did not. He pulled away first, leaving me panting with a steady thump between my legs, and soft words to my lips. “Do you want to shower before you eat? Take care of that vagina problem you have going on?”

“That’s not my vagina problem anymore.”

Paxton snickered and kissed me with one more soft peck. “I know. Your clothes are on your bed. Don’t wake the girls,” he ordered as he slid the envelope from my arm. I tried to grab it, but he was faster and taller. Damn. I didn’t want him to have that first.

“Don’t open it until I get back.”

Paxton kissed me again and took a step back. “I don’t think you do the telling around here.”

I walked past him, shaking my head and rolling my eyes, not at him though, at myself. What the hell was wrong with me? Had to be the head injury, nothing else could explain my stupidity. I mean, come on, I had to fight the urge to take my clothes off. Geez. My internal verbal abuse halted when I walked into the house, a sense of unbelonging fell over me as I entered. It felt strange being there, like a lie, like I was a stranger. Unable to help myself, I did throw away a half-eaten pop tart and picked up Lucy the Lioness from the floor, tossing her to the sofa.

As hard as it was, I refrained from opening either door as I made my way to the end of the hall. Not because Paxton told me not to, but because I had the other problem to deal with first. I needed a shower and a tampon, and then I planned to open the doors, both of them.

The shower felt amazing, my lavender scented body wash was a missed delight, and my expensive shampoo beat the hell out of the cheap stuff I’d been using. I thought I was just spoiled, turned out to be the truth, you get what you pay for. I didn’t even mind the thongs Paxton laid out for me, they too felt missed. I decided then that I had indeed lost my mind. I seconded the motion when I applied makeup and lipstick. I didn’t even know why, it wasn’t like I could even seduce him, I was on my period.

I disobeyed, opting out of the clothes chosen for me. I didn’t need a nightgown because I wouldn’t be staying. The lie left my mind as I slid a psychedelic, green, blue, and orange, sundress over my head. Paxton wouldn’t let me leave. I knew it as much as he did.

My heart warmed as soon as my hand came in contact with the cold doorknob. It warmed even more when I saw my sleeping Rowan, curled in a cute little ball with a new stuffed cat cuddled in her arms. That explained why Lucy was all alone in the living room. She’d been replaced by her feline cousin. I brushed hair from her face and kissed her little cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open and then closed right before she realized I was really there. “Mommy! You got home. Daddy said you wasn’t leaving the hospital until the morning. Are you all better now? Why didn’t you call me? You said next time you would.”

I sat on the edge of her bed and hugged her tight, taking in the same lavender scent as my own hair. “I’m sorry, the phones weren’t working there. I told your dad to give you a big hug and tell you I love you every day.”

“Well, he did, but I still missed you.”

“I missed you, too. A whole, whole bunch,” I admitted as I squeezed even tighter. These two little girls sure did change things. They made me want to stay. I never wanted to be away from them. Ever.

“You don’t listen at all anymore,” Paxton said from the door. His demeanor had changed and I knew he looked. He wasn’t playful Paxton anymore, even his posture was stiffer, and his body was covered with a Florida State t-shirt.

“I couldn’t help it. I missed them,” I admitted to Paxton while turning to Rowan. “You go to sleep and I will see you in the morning,” I promised with a kiss to her nose.

“Promise?” she questioned, arms fighting to be freed from the tight cocoon, I’d tucked her into.

“Pinky swear. Night sweetie. I love you to the moon and back.”

“I love you, too,” she said through a yawn.

“Night, Row. Love you,” Paxton said as I walked past him and straight to Ophelia’s door, the nickname noted with a smile.

“You called her Row,” I accused.

“Shut up. Don’t wake her,” he ordered with a hand around my wrists, trying to keep me from going in.

“I have to. You go four days without seeing them. Tell me how you like it,” I said as the doorknob turned in my hand.

An audible breath was heard when he breathed deep, letting me go. I’m sure he knew he wouldn’t win this one. Lucky for him, it took two minutes with Phi. Unlike Rowan, she didn’t move a muscle. Not even when I moved her leg from an awkward position and covered her up. I kissed her forehead and whispered that I loved her while Paxton waited at the door.

“Your food is outside,” Paxton said with an open palm, letting me walk in front of him.

“And the drink?” I questioned, hair flipping around my shoulder as I tried to flirt and read him at the same time. He didn’t answer and the expression on his face was unnatural. Not like I was used to seeing from him. It wasn’t angry, it wasn’t smirky, and it wasn’t playful. That’s all I knew. This one looked like he’d been punched in the gut, causing me to worry about the evidence he knew and I didn’t.

I could see the stack of photos upside down in front of my plate, but I was a little more excited about the bowtie pasta, topped with my favorite. The first bite was all it took to realize it tasted as good as it looked. Art with a blast to my taste buds. He did well and I was impressed.

I hummed my delight, looking to Paxton, taking the chair to my left. “Hmmm, this is delicious. You made this?”

“Tricia did. I asked her to.”

I dropped my fork to the plate, causing it to clink against the china, and shoved it away.

“What?” Paxton asked like he had no clue. Idiot.

“Nothing, I just thought there for a minute you did something for me for once.”

“I did, I asked Tricia to make it for me.”

“Did you ask her to make it for you, or for me?”

The silence answered my question and I shook my head in disbelief. Unfortunately, I was hungry, and it was so good. I stabbed a piece of broccoli with my fork and plopped it in my mouth with a glare, sharp knives stabbing out his eyeballs.

“What the hell is this? Since when are you jealous over Tricia? This makes no sense.”

“Did you ever think maybe that it’s because I didn’t care then?” Once again silence fell between us as Paxton reflected on what I had just said. “And her sauce sucks,” I lied while pondering the unfamiliar taste saturated throughout my pasta. Chardonnay maybe. I secretly loved it.

“What does that mean, Gabriella?”

I took another bite and Paxton slid my plate close to me, sensing that my pride and ego wouldn’t let me do it. The same expression that I couldn’t read before reappeared, worry lines in the corner of both eyes.

“It means my sauce tastes way better than hers.”

Paxton smiled with a puff of air. “I’m being serious.”

I pulled both my legs below my butt and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “I don’t have the advantage that you do, Paxton. I don’t know how I felt about Tricia before. I don’t really like her now. I hate the way she flirts with you, and she tried to say something mean to me one day. I put her in her place and she looked like I slapped her across the face. I don’t think we were friends before. Not like Mi. Mi is a true friend.”

Paxton blinked his eyes and shook his head, trying to keep up. “First of all, what did Tricia say? Why did you put her in her place?”

“We were watching you in the batting cage. She told me that she would love to show me how to love a man like you.”

“And you said?”

“That I didn’t need help with that.”

“And?”

“She said obviously I couldn’t. If I could, I wouldn’t be sleeping in my own room. I then told her to go fuck herself, and asked her how she took care of her own man while she thought about mine. I told her she couldn’t handle the things you do to me and walked away. And then you made me go to her stupid birthday party.”

“But you were never jealous before. They all flaunted their high maintenance asses around me, until about a month after your accident. They stopped. Now I know why. You stopped them, didn’t you?”

I shrugged my left shoulder as I shoved more food into my mouth. “I don’t go around hitting on their husbands.”

“Except Lane,” he said, quietly. “What do you mean your real friend?”

“Huh?”

“You said they weren’t real friends like you.”

“No I didn’t.”

“Yes you did. You said they weren’t like me.”

“Oh, Mi. Yeah, I’m not hearing voices,” I assured him with half a laugh. “Mi, she’s Nick’s girlfriend.”

“Who the hell is Nick?”

“He works with Lane. They helped me when you tossed me out to the streets.”

“I didn’t toss you to the streets. Lane was supposed to make sure you went into the hotel. I was only going to let you stay there for one night. Where’s the car? Why did you take the car?”

I took a deep breath and told the truth. “I needed what was inside.”

“What was that?”

“I’ll send you the video. If you thought I was fucking the neighbor, why would you let him take me to a hotel room?”

“What video? I don’t think you’re fucking him now. I think you were before the accident. Were you?”

My eyes went to the photos and my lungs filled with air all on they're own. “I don’t know, Paxton. I don’t know why I did a lot of things before I forgot who I was. I feel like I lived a lie. Not just one. Copious amounts of lies hover all around us, and I don’t know why. But you do.”

“I don’t know what lies you told me. You have a fucking twin sister, for Christ’s sake. Did you not think that should have been something we discussed?”

“I don’t know because I don’t remember. You tell me why, why would I ever feel like I needed to hide something like that from you? I loved her, I know I did, I still do, and I can’t for the life of me understand why I would hide her from you.”

“Did you ever think that maybe things are different because you’re not really who I married?”

I snorted with that one, but I knew it would come up. “You think I’m Izzy?”

“I don’t know. You’re so different, Gabriella. I don’t know you at all.”

“I think you do, and I think you’re afraid to admit it.”

Paxton spun my drink in a circle as his eyes dropped to the table. We stared briefly at each other, and then I slid my glass from his hand, asking the loaded question. “What if I am Izzy? What then, Paxton?”

His shoulders shrugged that time, and then sunk dejectedly. He stretched out his arms, took a deep breath of cool air, and cracked his knuckles. “I don’t fucking know.”

“Why did you have me arrested? Why couldn’t you just come to me? That hurts, ya know?”

“See, Gabriella, it’s not supposed to hurt. That’s the big change. You didn’t have that emotion. That’s why we worked so well together. We had an arrangement.”

“Yeah, so I keep hearing. What do you expect from me, Paxton? What do you want?” I questioned as I sipped the delicious drink, wondering if Tricia made it, too.

“I don’t think you’re my wife.”

“I think you’re wrong, but only partially.”

“What do you mean by that?”

There was no easy way to say what I knew I had to say. It had to come out, but that wasn’t what I was afraid of. I had the courage to tell him about our switch when we were eleven, however I couldn’t make him believe me. Hell, I wouldn’t believe me either. I knew our lives were about to change in one way or another. I knew that I had to come clean with what I knew, I had to tell him about Vander, and I had to tell him my plans to go after him. What scared the hell out of me was his reaction. As much as I wanted to keep my pride and ego from getting hurt, I needed him more. For Vander’s sake.

“Gabriella?” he had to say to get my attention.

“I did marry you. I’m sure of that, but I am Izabella.”

He didn’t even look shocked, and I did see and hear a bit of anger with his response.

“Of course, you’re going to play that card, and I’m supposed to believe it, too, right?”

I shrugged my shoulders, letting him know that I didn’t know while moving my wet hair to the side. A swallow stuck in my chest as our eyes locked, and I waited. Waited for what, was the question.