I had paid for it two days after approving financing he had never known came from me.
“Seven thirty,” he said.
“I’m leaving then.”
I looked at the watch again.
“Of course.”
He walked toward the dining room.
Stopped.
“Do not come tonight, Clara.”
He said it the way someone might remind a spouse not to park in the wrong driveway.
Reasonable.
Administrative.
Final.
I remained at the sink with the towel in my hand until Evelyn began rearranging the glasses.
At 7:18, Chloe entered the dining room holding her phone at arm’s length.
Julian was checking the buttons on his tuxedo jacket.
Evelyn was examining herself in the dark window.
Chloe turned the camera toward Julian.
“Tell them who you’re bringing tonight.”