“What about Elissa? Is she just… average?”


    Frank honestly hadn’t given that much thought.


    Even after years of marriage, his encounters with Elissa were few and far between–let alone any ovep at work.


    He only knew she’d worked diligently at the clinic for three or four years, never making much of a ssh.


    Most of the staff praised her, but Frank suspected it was just because she’d gone to school with Cliff.


    Thinking back to what had happened at the restaurant, Frank didn’t bother waiting for Elissa toe home. He called her directly.


    She picked up quickly. “What’s up?”


    Her tone was so cool and even that Frank was caught off guard.


    “Don’t you think you owe me an exnation for what happened at the restaurant today?“.


    “An exnation for what, exactly?<b>” </b>


    Elissa let out a soft, almost icyugh. “Do you mean for announcing to everyone that my own husband is cheating on me, or is it something else. you wanted me to rify?”


    She genuinely couldn’t believe Frank had the nerve to call and question


    her about this.


    Frank frowned, a nagging sense creeping in that something about her had. changed.


    Thest couple of times she’d lost her temper, he’d just chalked it up to her being upset, nothing more.


    “I told you before, there’s nothing going on between Marcia and me. Do


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    you really have to drive her away to be satisfied?”


    “Yes.<b>” </b>


    Elissa shed her usual gentle persona, her words suddenly sharp and clear. “I do. So, is she leaving or not?”


    She’d held this in for a long time.


    At first, she’d thought she could just let it go–as long as she got a divorce, nothing else mattered.


    What she hadn’t expected was for Frank to turn around and demand an exnation from her, as if she were the one in the wrong.


    She genuinely didn’t know what she’d done to deserve this.


    “Don’t even think about it!”


    It was the first time she’d ever stood up to him. Frank barely recognized her, anger rising in his chest, but remembering how young she was, he forced himself to stay calm and try reasoning with her.


    “Elissa, she’s different to me.”


    But Elissa just scoffed. “Different how? Is it the whole ‘brother–inw and sister–inw‘ thing–does that make it extra exciting?”


    “Shut up! Are you insane?!”


    Frank was stunned she’d say something like that, the veins at his temples. standing out as he ground his teeth. “If you’re so unhappy in this family. then let’s just get a divorce!”


    The words shot out before he could stop them, and for a brief moment, Frank’s mind went nk.


    But before he could say anything else, it was toote.


    On the other end of the line, Elissa was silent for just a moment before hanging up.


    Frank pushed open the window, about to take a deep breath, when Hickey.


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    came barreling up and banged on the study door.


    “Uncle Frank! Mom’s washing fruit. Come downstairs, we’re having a fruit.


    snack!”


    Frank opened the door and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Go on down, I’ll be there. after I wash my hands.<b>” </b>


    “Okay!”


    Hickey nodded dutifully and darted down the stairs.


    He loved living here now. That meandy hadn’t shown up in ages–what a relief!


    After washing his hands, Frank turned off the faucet and noticed a jade pendant left beside the sink. His expression softened.


    Earlier, Elissa had asked him what was different.


    Maybe it was this.


    He ran his thumb over the smooth surface of the pendant, his gaze filled. with emotions he couldn’t name.


    As he traced the pendant, he noticed something and leaned in for at closer look. Inside, carved into the jade, were two small letters.


    -N.


    “Hey, my house is on Grand View Road! Promise you’lle find little Nine and y sometime!”


    Funny–he hadn’t called Marcia by her childhood nickname in years.


    Just then, Marcia appeared at the door with a te of fruit, giving him a yful look. “I thought maybe you drank too much and weren’t feeling well.”


    At dinner, his colleagues had kept the drinks flowing once they learned. who he was.


    She noticed the jade pendant in his hand and tipped her chin up. “I took it


    off before my shower and forgot to put it back on. Help me with it, will you?”


    “Of course.”


    Frank stepped in front of her, bent down slightly, and fastened the pendant around her neck. His voice was low and rough. “Little Nine, I’m. d I found you…”


    Marcia looked at him, puzzled, and interrupted almost instinctively, “Little Nine? What are you talking about?”