I cried in my husband’s arms at the airport as he boarded what he claimed was a two-year work assignment in Zurich.

 

“Anne, I know what you found on his laptop. I know about the condo. I know about the pregnancy. But there are pieces you don’t have.”

 

My voice came out quieter than I expected.

 

“Is Melanie with him?”

 

“No.”

 

That surprised me.

 

“She isn’t?”

 

“She thinks he’s in Zurich.”

 

I sat back down.

 

For a while, neither of us spoke.

 

The clock ticked on the wall.

 

Outside, a car passed slowly down the street, its engine fading into afternoon silence.

 

Finally, I said, “You need to start from the beginning.”

 

Grace gave a small, tired laugh.

 

“I wish I knew where the beginning was.”