I thought the matter was settled.

I was wrong.

Nearly a week later, I was standing near our front window when I saw Dakota approaching Tony’s car.

This time, she wasn’t carrying coffee.

She handed him a small folded note.

Tony opened it.

His expression changed immediately.

He looked toward Dakota, said something I couldn’t hear, and quickly folded the paper again.

Dakota walked away.

I hurried outside.

“Tony, what was that?”

He looked surprised.

“What?”

“The note Dakota just gave you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Then let me see it.”

“Jennifer, don’t start.”

I stared at him.

“Why won’t you show me?”

He rubbed his forehead.

For several seconds, he hesitated.

Then he handed me the paper.

I unfolded it.

Two sentences were written inside.

**“You have until Friday to tell Jennifer the truth. Otherwise, I’ll do it myself.”**

I read them twice.

Then I looked up.