Page 35 of Broken Clocks

Was Eshe really done with me this time?

Or did she just think she was?

Sinica’s heel hooked my ankle. “You sleepy?”

“Yeah.”

“Bed then?”

Upstairs, she showered and came out in silk pajamas, her hair perfectly in place. “Don’t forget—the gala’s Saturday. Wear the Tom Ford suit.”

I loosened my tie and stared at myself in the window. Why couldn’t Eshe understand? Sinica and I were more business partners than husband and wife. People like us didn’t stay married forever. Just long enough to build an empire we’d eventually split.

I closed my eyes and saw Eshe behind my lids.

That wild look she had earlier.

That knife she had pointed at me.

She was mad now.

But she’d wait.

She always did.

I pulled out my phone, thumb hovering over her name.

Sinica’s voice broke the silence. “You gonna shower?”

“Yeah.”

I went to set the phone facedown on the dresser. Then hesitated and didn’t.

“Let me check on my daughter first.”

In the nursery, I stood over the crib and looked down at her. Soft cheeks, her mother’s nose. This was the plus side. The piece of me I couldn’t regret.

I stepped back out, dialing Eshe.

The number you have dialed is no longer in service.

I stared at the screen. Called again.

Same thing.

Disconnected.

Damn.

Maybe she really meant it this time.

The phone slipped from my fingers.

The End