Alfie woke the next morning before Ruthie and got out of bed, careful not to wake her. He knew she had stayed up worrying after her scare the night before because he could feel her body shaking until about an hour before he needed to be up. Must have been some dream. He thought in sympathy before readying himself for the day and heading to his bakery.

By the time Ruthie woke, the sun had risen into the sky. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and moved toward the dining room.

"Would you like some tea?" Edna asked and Ruthie nodded.

"How long have the children been awake?" Ruthie asked, finding them playing in the floor of the sitting room.

"Mr. Solomons was up with them when I arrived this morning. Said you weren't feeling well and to let you rest." Edna replied as she sat the tea tray down on the table. "You had some post." Edna said as she withdrew an envelope from her pocket and Ruthie's teacup froze midair.

Ruthie's hands began to shake and as she attempted to put her teacup on its saucer causing her to drop it. Glass and tea went everywhere.

"Fuck!" Ruthie cursed before she ran her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry, Edna."

"It's alright. We will get it cleaned up. Are you alright?" Their ever-loyal maid asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. You'll want to get a rag." Ruthie said, trying to gain her composure.

Edna nodded and walked away to get what she needed to clean the mess. While she was away, Ruthie tore open the envelope and began to read quickly.

My Dearest Love,

It pains me to see you with him. I know he doesn't please you, not truly. Only I can do that and its so cruel to allow you to lead him to believe he can give you things only I can. I know I haven't been able to be there as much as either of us would like, but I promise to change that. I will come for you this afternoon so please be ready to leave when I get there. We will go far away from here and be happy. Just the two of us. Then I won't have to watch you sleep through your window. Instead, you will be in bed next to me, where you belong.

See you soon,

S.

Ruthie's hand covered her mouth and her stomach rolled. She felt the bile coming up her throat and ran towards the bathroom, falling to her knees in front of the toilet, the letter still in her hand.

"Mummy?" She heard a little voice say behind her.

Turning her head, she saw her son looking at her with concern. Clearing her throat, she said, "Oh, my darling." And held out her hand for Little Alfie and he walked to her. "Mummy is alright." She reassured.

He looked at her, with his large blue eyes and a face just like his fathers. He could sense something was wrong, but his little two-year-old mouth couldn't form words to express how he felt so he simply laid his head on her chest and patted his small hand over her heart. Ruthie released a muffled sob as she tried to remain calm. Whoever this person was, he was coming to her home that afternoon. Obviously, she wasn't going with him, but how would he take that? Whoever-he-was clearly was mad. Her children would be in danger if they were home. Hearing heeled footsteps coming toward the bathroom, Ruthie quickly stuffed the letter under a stack of towels on the rack and stood with Alfie in her arms.

"Is everything alright ma'am?" Edna asked.

"Yes. Um, however, I want you to take the children to Ada's house for the afternoon and stay with them in case they need anything."

"Ma-am?"

"You heard me. I will call and let her know you are coming. I would like the house to me and Alfie this afternoon."

Edna stared at her unsure.

"The truth is, Alfie and I are trying for another child and I would like to have the afternoon to just the two of us." Deciding to lie, not wanting the maid to worry.

Edna smiled an understanding smile and nodded, though she seemed hesitant, before turning to gather a bag of things for the children.

Ruthie had called Ada and told her the same lie she had told Edna. Ada was all too happy to have the children there with her but insisted Ruthie give Edna the afternoon off. Ruthie rolled her eyes and agreed, giving Edna the good news. Ruthie knelt down onto her knees and fixed Little Alfie's collar before giving him a kiss and pulling him close to her.

"I love you, my darling. You be good, alright?"

Then she stood and gave Maggie a kiss on the cheek and put her forehead to her daughter's and whispered, "I love you, my little lamb." Before she watched Edna walk out the door.

As soon as they had left, Ruthie rushed to the bakery.

"Where is Alfie?" She asked urgently.

"Had business across town." Benjamin, one of the older men responded.

"Across town? Where? When will he be back?"

"Not sure. Said this afternoon sometime. Maybe evening?" Benjamin shrugged.

Ruthie was beginning to panic. Alfie was across town? She needed him! Her heart raced with her worried thoughts.

"Is everything, alright?" Benjamin asked, seeing her state.

"Have someone go find him and tell him to come home."

"I'm not sure where he is."

"THEN FIND HIM!" Ruthie ordered. "Or so help me I will tell him YOU refused to do as you were told!"

Benjamin clenched his jaw but nodded and walked away to follow his orders.

Ruthie paced in front of the clock, watching every second pass in agony as she waited for Alfie to return so she could tell him everything. He will be cross with her for lying, but she didn't care. She thought she was doing the right thing for her family and their happiness. She thought the letters would stop. She moved a hand to her mouth as tears flooded down her face. "I thought they would stop." She whispered in anger at herself.

"Thought what would stop?" She heard the icy voice of her nightmares ask and her body trembled more violently than it had before as she turned to look at the silhouette in the door.

"Alfie, Ruthie is asking for you." Alfie had just walked back into the bakery and was pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

"She seemed upset, sir." Benjamin added. "Told me to find you so I think it was urgent."

"When was this?" Alfie asked.

"An hour ago."

"Why didn't you find me then?"

"Didn't know where you went sir. Knew you would be back soon." He shrugged

Alfie clenched his jaw and stared at the older man until the man looked away in submission.

"Next time, when she gives you an order.. You fucking do it." Alfie said, giving the man one last look before turning toward the exit.

Alfie opened the door and stared at the entryway.

"Ruthie?" He called but there was no answer. "Ruth? Everything alright?" He continued to call as he walked deeper into his house. He walked into his room, finding it empty, then proceeded to the nursery and the kitchen. All rooms were empty, and the place was quiet.

He shrugged, deciding his wife had calmed down and the two women had taken the kids into town for something and began toward the door. Glancing at the mantle before he left, he noticed an envelope with his name on it. Seeing his wife's handwriting, he opened the envelope and pulled out a folded letter.

Alfie,

I am in love with another and have left to be with him. Don't come looking for me, our marriage is over.

Ruthie