Mr. Harrison, Wake Up—Your Wife's Gone novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Nathan drummed his fingers against the steering wheel of his Maybach, parked outside the Manhattan Family Court. His phone lit up with an incoming call.

“Nathan, sweetheart!” His grandmother’s voice was bright but pointed. “You and Amelia have been married a whole year. When am I getting some

great–grandbabies?”

Nathan’s face softened despite himself. “Grandma, we’re still figuring things out. No need to rush.” He shifted in his seat. “How’s Grandpa doing? Is he-”

“Oh, don’t you try to change the subject on me,” she interrupted with a laugh. “Your grandfather’s doing much better, thank the Lord, but honey, we’re not spring chickens anymore. We want to see those babies before we’re too old to spoil them rotten.“[]

“Grandma…”

Her tone turned serious. “And Nathan? I’ve been hearing things around town. Gossip. You better be treating that sweet girl right, you hear me?“]

Nathan went silent for a beat too long.

“Nathan James Harrison, are you listening to me?“[]

He rubbed his temples. “Yeah, Grandma. I hear you loud and clear.“]]

After another few minutes of her gentle but persistent questioning, Nathan finally managed to end the call. He stared at the courthouse entrance, his jaw working.

He pulled up his messages, thumb hovering over Vivian’s contact–the heart emoji next to her name, the photo of her laughing in golden sunlight. He scrolled past it and tapped Amelia’s name instead. Their last exchange was just logistics: time, place, what to bring.

She was ten minutes late. Not like her at all.[]

Where are you?]]

A tap on his window made him look up. Amelia stood there looking washed out, dark circles under her eyes. She slid into the passenger seat without a

word.

She was wearing the same clothes from yesterday–a cream blazer and black pants she’d bought for him last month. “You look good in earth tones,” she’d said, holding the jacket up to his chest.

For seven years, she’d dressed him, fed him, organized his entire life down to his dentist appointments.[]

“You’re late,” he said.

“By ten minutes.” Her voice was flat. No apology, no excuse. The old Amelia would’ve shown up an hour early with coffee and an explanation for every minute of delay.

Nathan’s drumming stopped, He studied her profile–pale, distant, like she wasn’t really there

“My grandmother just called.” He looked straight ahead. “We can’t tell them about any of this. The divorce, I mean. It would kill them.”

Amelia didn’t nod or agree like she usually did. Instead: “What did she say?“]

“Wants grandkids. The usual.” Nathan’s voice tightened with irritation. “She’s been hearing rumors about us.“[]

The silence stretched between them. After what felt like forever, Amelia let out a short, bitter laugh.[]

Nathan’s hands clenched. He kept his eyes on the courthouse steps, watching couples come and go.[]

He’d thought about kids before. Late at night, after sex, he’d sometimes trace circles on Amelia’s stomach and murmur, “Maybe we should start trying soon.” It was always someday, eventually, when things settled down]

Chapter 2

But Vivian only had six months. After that, everything would go back to normal. There’d be plenty of time for babies then.

“Last chance to back out,” Amelia said quietly. “Do you really want to do this?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” The anger in his voice was sharp, real. “Vivian’s at home waiting for an answer. Don’t start playing games.“]

Instead of responding, Amelia pulled out a thick manila envelope and handed it to him.[]

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