Chapter 9 - DAVID COMES HOME AGAIN
David was released on bond five days after his arrest.
His passport was surrendered.
His accounts were restricted.
He was prohibited from contacting Julianne and several company employees.
He was allowed to contact me only through attorneys.
So naturally, he came to my new apartment.
At 9:11 P.M., the doorman called.
“Mrs. Vance, your husband is downstairs.”
“No.”
“He says it’s urgent.”
“No.”
“He’s holding something.”
I looked at the security screen.
David stood in the lobby carrying Lily’s stuffed rabbit.
Mr. Buttons.
I had searched everywhere for it after moving.
Apparently it had been inside David’s car.
My chest tightened.
“Send the rabbit up.”
“He says he’ll only give it to you.”
Of course.
Everything had terms.
I called Rebecca.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived with building security.
Only then did I go downstairs.
David looked terrible.
No tan now.
No linen shirt.
No confidence.
He held Mr. Buttons against his chest.
“I found him under my seat.”
I reached for the rabbit.
David did not let go.
“Talk to me.”
“Give me Lily’s rabbit.”
“Maya.”
“Give me the rabbit.”
His fingers loosened.
I took it.
For one second, I smelled Lily’s shampoo.
My eyes filled.
David saw.
He began crying too.
“I went to the cemetery.”
I said nothing.
“I didn’t know where she was buried.”
“That’s because you missed the funeral.”
He flinched.
“I know.”
“No.”
I held the rabbit tighter.
“You know the location now.”
“You did not know what it was like holding a seven-year-old child while she died.”
David covered his face.
“Please.”
“You read the ICU message.”
He lowered his hands.
“Julianne told you.”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were exaggerating.”
“Why?”
He could not answer.
I stepped closer.
“Why did you think I would lie about our child being in intensive care?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
His eyes moved away.
“Because believing I was dramatic made ignoring me easier.”
Silence.
I continued.
“You needed me to be unreasonable because otherwise you had to admit what you were doing.”
He whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked down at Mr. Buttons.
“Lily forgave people very quickly.”
David started crying harder.
“But she isn’t here.”
I met his eyes.
“And you don’t get to borrow her kindness now.”
His face crumpled.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Martin is going to blame me for everything.”
I almost laughed.
There it was.
Even at Lily’s grave, David had somehow found a road back to himself.
“Goodnight.”
I turned.
“Maya.”
I stopped.
“There’s something you don’t know about the yacht.”
I looked back.
“What?”
May you like
David swallowed.
“Julianne wasn’t the reason I went.”
