eving laugh esca

g in protest. The knuckles of his hand turned white. This wasn'

ded-up papers bac

because he'd shown concern for Carly. He'd ignore it. She'd come

om

stairs. He was rubbing his eyes, his favo

ie Carly said Mommy

name grated on Brody'

oice sharper than he intended. "S

ber. It went straight to voicemail. He cursed

ayli. Stop being chi

send an

th

for Bonner Pharmaceuticals, he found his mind drifting, his arguments unfocused. He was used to Kayli managing his schedule, r

nd him. His life, which he'd always considered

of something that felt dangerously like panic began to form in his gu

was on the ro

he hadn't been home.

e she liked, a small cafe-but there was no sign of her.

g his pride, he ca

red. "I want her phone'

eared on his screen. A high-rise in

, burning away the fear. She had a secret

e pulled up to the gleaming glass building. He

rough the interco

es

ody. Let

there something you

Bo

ed his rage. The door buzzed open, and he stormed into t

ightly ajar. He shoved it

greeted him s

pair of reading glasses were perched on her nose. An open medical journal

... peacef

on as mild as if he were a deliver

he crumpled divorce agreement d

led. "What kind of sick

d it. She took off her glasses, folding them neatly. Her

It's exactly what it look

uriating than any tears o

ly with his good arm. "Because of a car accident?

said, her voice quiet but firm.

ound photo album-one he'd never seen before-and brought it back to

eyland. They were all wearing Mickey Mouse ears. Carly was holding Leo on her hip,

th. A weekend he'd told Kayli he

"And the hundred other nights you were 'working late.' And the

photo, speechless

you free. The agreement is simple. I walk away from all mar

that's what this is about. Money. I knew it. How m

i said, her eyes locking onto his. She spoke

ng my rights to

cal blow. He actually staggere

nger dissolving into pu

His unbreakable chain. The one thing that would alw

would simply hand him