Rejecting His Return

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, tracing the outline of my face with trembling fingers. Three days had passed since I'd discovered Malachi's betrayal at the cemetery. Three days of pretending everything was normal while my world crumbled beneath me.

The doorbell rang downstairs, followed by Malachi's footsteps and the murmur of voices. I took a deep breath and headed down, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Johanna," Malachi called as I descended the stairs. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

A young woman stood in our entryway, surrounded by expensive luggage. She was beautiful in that fresh, uncomplicated way that made me feel suddenly ancient at twenty-eight. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves past her shoulders, and her hand rested protectively over her still-flat stomach.

"This is Sarai," Malachi said, his hand resting on the small of her back. "She's one of my scholarship students. Her family is going through some... difficulties right now, and she needs temporary housing."

I extended my hand automatically, years of good manners overriding my instinct to slam the door in her face. "Hello," I said, my voice sounding hollow even to my newly restored ears.

Sarai's grip was firm, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Johanna. Malachi has told me so much."

"I'm sure he has," I replied, meeting her gaze steadily.

Malachi cleared his throat. "I've decided Sarai can stay in our guest room until her family situation improves."

It wasn't a request. It was an announcement.

"Malachi," I said quietly, "we should discuss this privately first."

"There's nothing to discuss," he replied, his tone brooking no argument. "Sarai needs our help."

I watched as Sarai's lips curved into a satisfied smile.

---

By evening, Sarai had completely rearranged our guest room. I stood in the doorway, watching as she moved furniture around with surprising strength for someone supposedly in the early stages of pregnancy.

"Can I help you with anything?" I offered, determined to maintain some semblance of hospitality.

"Oh, I've got it all under control," she replied without looking up. "Malachi mentioned you're not used to... domestic tasks."

The barb stung more than it should have. Before losing my hearing, I'd been quite capable. Now, with my senses returning but still unreliable, I sometimes misjudged distances and sounds.

I retreated to the kitchen to prepare dinner, only to find Sarai had already taken over that space too.

"Don't worry about cooking tonight," she said, her back to me as she chopped vegetables with practiced precision. "Malachi mentioned you're not much of a chef. I made all his favorites."

---

Dinner was an exercise in restraint. I sat rigidly at my end of the table, watching as Sarai dominated the conversation.

"Remember that little Italian place in the city?" she asked Malachi, her hand casually resting on his arm. "You said it was our secret."

Malachi's fork paused halfway to his mouth. "Sarai..."

"What? It's not a secret that you love their tiramisu, is it?" She turned to me with a saccharine smile. "Malachi has such a sweet tooth. You'd never guess it to look at him."

I focused on cutting my chicken into precise, tiny pieces.

"Oh!" Sarai exclaimed suddenly, her hand flying to her stomach. "Baby kicked."

Malachi's eyes darted to her abdomen, then quickly away.

"When did you start feeling movement?" I asked, determined to maintain some dignity.

"Just this morning," she replied, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "The doctor says everything's developing perfectly."

She reached across the table and touched Malachi's hand. "We're so lucky, aren't we?"

I looked at Malachi, waiting for him to deny it, to say something—anything—to defend our marriage. But he just stared at his plate, silent and guilty.

---

Later that night, I went to take a bath, only to find my favorite silk robe missing from its hook. I heard movement from our bedroom and pushed open the door without knocking.

Sarai stood at my vanity in my robe, her fingers trailing over my expensive skincare products.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

She turned slowly, not bothering to hide her actions. "Just getting ready for bed. Malachi said I could use anything I needed."

"That's my robe," I said quietly. "And those are my personal items."

"Oh." She smiled, dabbing my face cream onto her neck. "He didn't mention they were special."

I stepped forward, anger building inside me. "Those are mine."

"And this house is Malachi's," she replied coolly. "Which means everything in it belongs to him. And by extension..." She caressed her stomach meaningfully. "To the heir the Stone family has been waiting for."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Heir. The baby she carried was Malachi's legacy—something I had failed to provide.

"Get out of my room," I whispered.

"With pleasure." She slipped past me, the silk of my robe whispering against her skin. "Sweet dreams, Johanna."

As the door closed behind her, I caught sight of Malachi in the hallway, his face pale as he witnessed the exchange. But still, he said nothing to defend me.