I kept hoping he’d recognize that she wasn’t listening.

Once, as I reached to remove a contaminated bowl, Diane sighed. I hesitated, uncomfortable about arguing in front of Noah again.

Eventually, I started setting aside his portions before serving meals. Whenever I left food unattended, I inspected it afterward.

Each time I considered confronting Mark again, I reminded myself that Diane would soon leave.

Then she developed a cold.

For two days, she coughed and repeatedly blew her nose, describing it as “just a little cold.”

I prepared chicken soup and showed her the serving ladle.

“That’s Noah’s dinner. If you want some, pour it into a bowl.”

“I heard you.”

Ten minutes later, I discovered the ladle in Diane’s mouth. She plunged it back into the soup and stirred.

“Diane!”