Page 15 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“No, sir,” Gabriel replied.

“All right, I need your housekeeper’s full name and address,” the officer said.

Gabriel protested, “She’s not involved. She’s worked for me for twelve years.”

The officer, unfazed, handed Gabriel a pad and pen. “I still need her full name and address.”

With a reluctant sigh, Gabriel took the pad and pen, jotted down the information, and handed it back to the officer.

“Thank you,” said the officer, “We’ll file a report and check with the neighbors to see if anyone saw or heard anything unusual.” The officer handed Gabriel his card. “If you remember anything important or discover something is missing, please call us.”

Accepting the card, Gabriel said, “I will. Thank you, officer.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll contact you if we have any updates,” the officer replied before departing.

The following morning, despite a restless, anxiety-ridden night of little sleep due to the break-in and Emily’s absence, Gabriel woke up early. Before calling the office to reschedule his first few appointments, he knew he needed coffee. He went to the kitchen to pour himself a cup, but there was no coffee in the coffeemaker – yet another reminder that Emily wasn’t there.

After loading coffee and water into the high-end coffee maker, it took him several minutes to figure out how to operate the sophisticated machine. He longed for an old-fashioned coffee maker with a simple on/off button at that moment. When the pot was only half full, he impatiently removed the carafe and poured himself a cup, eager for that first jolt of caffeine to kick in and jumpstart his day.

He took his first sip and grimaced—the coffee tasted bitter and unpleasant. Frustrated, he poured it down the sink, silently cursing Emily for her absence.

Ava drifted into the kitchen, wiping the sleep from her eyes. “Where’s Mommy?” she mumbled.

Gabriel walked over to Ava and gently took her hand. “Mommy’s not here right now. Daddy’s going to get you ready for school today,” he said, leading her out of the kitchen.

When they reached her bedroom, Gabriel went directly to her closet and selected a dress off the rack.

“Not that one,” Ava said before he could even turn around.

Sighing, Gabriel placed the dress back and grabbed another. “How about this one?” he asked, holding it up for her approval.

Ava crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head.

After several more suggestions, Gabriel’s patience began to wear thin. “What do you want to wear?” he asked, his voice rising in frustration.

Ava’s eyes welled up with tears. “I want Mommy!” she cried.

Instantly regretting his tone, Gabriel bent down to pick up his daughter. “I know you do. I miss Mommy too,” he said softly, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Carrying her to the closet, he gently asked, “Now, which pretty dress do you want to wear today?”

“That one,” Ava said, pointing to a pink dress.

Gabriel smiled, taking the dress off the hanger, “That one is perfect.”

After getting Ava dressed, they made their way down the hallway. Gabriel knocked on each of the boys’ bedroom doors, opening them slightly, and called out, “Time to get up.”

He headed downstairs, poured Ava a bowl of cereal, and set up cartoons on the iPad to keep her entertained. Then he set about packing her lunch. When he finished, a glance at the clock told him it was almost time to leave.What’s taking the boys so long?he wondered. Concerned, he went back upstairs to hurry them along.

He entered Hunter’s room first. Seeing him still asleep in bed, Gabriel’s frustration boiled over. He yanked the covers off and shouted, “Get up! You’re going to be late for school.”

Startled, Hunter jumped out of bed, wide-eyed from his father’s uncharacteristic outburst. “Where’s Emily?” he asked, confusion etched on his face.

“She’s not here. I’m taking you to school today. Now get moving, we’re leaving in a few minutes.” Gabriel said before leaving Hunter’s room to check on Hayden.

When he entered Hayden’s room, Hayden was up, no doubt from hearing Gabriel yelling at his brother. Hayden pulled a pair of pants out of his dresser, glancing at his father with a guilty sideways glance.

“We’re leaving in five,” Gabriel said.

Knowing better than to argue, Hayden nodded in acknowledgment.

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