Alexander nodded and began setting up the pieces, exining each one’s movement as he ced them on the board.


    “White goes first,” he said, gesturing to my side of the board. “Your move.”


    I hesitated, then moved a pawn forward two spaces. Alexander nodded approvingly and moved one of his own pawns.


    The game progressed slowly, with me making cautious moves and Alexander responding with quick, strategic ones. It was clear he’d yed this game many times before, while I was just guessing at the best course of action.


    “Knight to E5,” I said after a few minutes, moving my piece.


    Alexander’s lips twitched. “You just moved your bishop, not your knight.”


    I looked down at the piece I’d just moved, then back at Alexander. “Wait, which one is the knight again?”


    “The horse,” he said, pointing to the piece shaped like a horse’s head.


    “Right.” I felt my cheeks heat. “I knew that.”


    Alexander’s expression remained neutral, but there was a gleam in his eyes that might have been something akin to amusement. I moved my actual knight this time, only to watch Alexander immediately capture it with his bishop


    “Dammit,” I muttered. “I should have seen thating.”


    “You left it undefended,” Alexander exined. “Always look at what your opponent could do on their next move.”


    I frowned at the board, trying to think three steps ahead like Alexander clearly was. But after a few more moves, Alexander had captured half my pieces while I’d only managed to take two of his pawns.


    “This is embarrassing,” I said, watching as he added my rook to his growing collection of captured pieces. “I’m getting absolutely destroyed here.”


    “You’re not that bad.


    “If this were a real battle, my army would be considering mutiny right about now.” I gestured to the scattered pawns. “They’re plotting their escape as we speak. Probably making little parachutes out of hospital napkins.”


    Suddenly, Alexanderughed, and I looked up at him in surprise. His smile transformed his face, softening the hard lines around his mouth and making him look years younger. Handsome. Kind. He tossed his head back andughed loudly and deeply, teeth shining


    beneath the fluorescent lights, red hair falling into his closed eyes. I didn’t know how to react to the sight.


    It hit me, then, that I’d never seen him smile like this before. Not in five years of marriage. Not even during our recent public appearances where we’d been pretending to be in love.


    This smile was real. Thisugh was real. And it did strange things to my insides.


    I blushed, looking away, and cleared my throat. “Um… Castle to C6.”


    By the time we finished the game, it was well past ten o’clock. The hospital corridor outside had grown quiet.


    “I should go,” Alexander said, ncing at his watch. “It’ste, and I’ve got work to do tomorrow.”


    And just like that, the illusion shattered. Alexander wasn’t going to spend the night with me like a normal husband would. Because he wasn’t a normal husband. And our marriage was just an act for the benefit of others.


    I nodded, pretending-even to myself-that I didn’t care. “Right. Thanks for bringing the stuff.”


    “I’lle back tomorrow,” he said as he stood. “For another game. If you want.”


    I looked up, surprised. “You don’t have to. I’m sure there will be plenty of witnesses who saw you stayte tonight. Your devoted husband image is secure.”


    Something flickered across Alexander’s face at that. It almost looked like pain, but it was gone before I could get a good read on it.


    “I’lle anyway,” he said. “Maybe your chess skills will improve with a good night’s sleep.”


    I couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious, but I didn’t dwell on it. “Alright. See you then.”


    Alexander nodded and moved toward the door. But before leaving, he paused and looked back


    at me.


    “Sleep well, E.”


    And then he was gone.


    My heart fluttered traitorously in my chest. What was wrong with me?