ng to me by my maiden name, as if I

r's office, clutching the

rah. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my phone, dialing her numb

s voice sounded

hick with emotion. "I... I'm out.

her voice filled with relief. "Are y

aylor... he sent his lawyer with divorce pa

e other end, just long enough to

prompted,

ceiver, one so faint it was a

ay, Nikki. I mean... ma

doubt flooding back in. "What do you me

, oh, girl, I... didn't mean it that way. I'm with y

staring at it as if it had suddenly transformed into something foreign and unr

stopped, I slid inside, tossing a handful of b

and I clutched the pap

ing himself was like a punch to my gut. He'd made this decis

he just th

paid him. I took a breath, staring up at the house where I'd dreamed of building a

rity guard stepped in front of me. "Sorry, ma'am," he grunted

keep calm. "This is my home. I'

unmoved. "You're not welcom

ger, and I pushed past him, storming up the s

he living room. As I stepped in, all eyes turned

e, you thief?" Shirley,

o shame," scoffed Danny,

ored thei

in the middle of the room, her mouth curving in sa

oice trembling with anger. "You twisted

r. "My son doesn't want you here.

I'm not leaving un

k fading, but before she could respo

speak to my moth

ard and unreadable. I rushed toward him, holding up the d

aid you wanted a divorce, but this has t

ly grew colder. "There's no mistake,

e for any sign that he might listen. "Taylor, please. Veronica i

. "Do you really think I want to stay mar

I reached for his hand, trying to ma

, his glare freezing me in pl

ith sneering satisfaction. At that moment, I saw Sarah enter, my best friend, the one perso

ppened. I called you before this. You kno

shifting away from mine. "Nicole, I'm ti

ng me breathless. "But... Sarah, t

cold. "I can't cover up for you anymore,

back at Taylor, but his face held

is voice low and final. "And

pers to the floor. "I won't sign. Taylor, we can work this out. You p

d with disdain. "That was before I kne

blazing with impatience. "If she won't sign,

he reached for my arm. Panic surged, and I y

pregn