. My breath caug

any giggling, Ethan already

ton, I knelt b

ticolored strips. My li

d in, pulling out handfuls of s

. A word from my journal – 'hope'

d down my fac

ge much. It was

ld, stuffing the painful

ice that had been my cage for

s were st

er. I' m calling to confirm my acceptance of th

rson, it's Ava Cole. Please proceed

age, hoping I' d be a grounding influence.

my personal items.

nto my office. His usual impec

noon briefing? And my c

empty desk, the single box

alm. "I' m le

y? Don' t be ridiculous, I need

. And I' m leaving you. My lawyer

g sound. "Divorce? Are you insane? What is th

sness was a

. Cole," I said, using the formal

't understand.