and preserved in plastic, stared back at Johnna. She ignored them. She dragged her batte

tead, she reached for the back of the drawers, pulling out soft cotton t-shirts, worn denim jeans, and thick wool sweaters. The

oset was half-empty. The gaps between

the floorboards. The distinc

evening. Panic flared in her chest-not fear of him, but fear of her own resolve cracking

e into the foyer when th

askew. He saw the suitcase. He saw her coat buttoned

said. It sounded l

er voice steady. She didn't stop moving. She grip

e inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a

separate from the prenup. Call it

he handwriting was sharp and jagged. The amount made her breath hitch in her thro

ed smug, in a pained sort of way. He thought t

aying her off like a prostitute he

want it,"

he side-stepped, blocking her wa

Don't be dramatic.

hing I came wi

emed to sting him more than her lea

dropping an octave. "Not enough for you

's entire body went rigid. The air left her l

she br

y for him." He took a step closer, looming over her, the scent of his expensive cologne

her. He thought she was cheating. He tho

uth. He's dead, you idiot. He drowned

d already decided who she was. He had decided she was a gold digger, a cheater, a fake

nk on the marriage certificate meant noth

r. Dyer," she said. The formal

d. The name soun

ing from her shoulder, and shoved th

dignity wrapping around her like armor. She walked past him, the

table by the do

vy and cold. It was a beautiful ring. A Dyer family heirloom. It had never rea

lled i

The metal made a sharp clack that ech

ened the heavy oak door and

te. He stared at the ring sitting on the table. It looked small. Insignificant. He waite

hollow ache opened up in