Jared.
Jerica blinked in disbelief as she saw Jared standing at the door, casually carrying the two large boxes. He was home early—far earlier than usual—and the sight of him threw her off balance.
Jared, ever the picture of calm efficiency, moved inside with a practiced ease. He didn't look at her, didn't greet her with any warm acknowledgment. He simply carried the boxes straight into the kitchen. Feeling a strange tightness in her chest, Jerica closed the door and followed him, silently observing his every move.
When she entered the kitchen, Jared was already opening the boxes, his hands deftly tearing through the packing tape. Jerica recognized the labels immediately—produce from the Walsh family, caretakers of their summer home in the East Hamptons. Strawberries, honey, and a variety of other organic goods filled the boxes.
For years, the Walsh family had sent them the best of their crops, a yearly tradition Jerica had once looked forward to.
