dropped my purse on the entryway table, feeling a deep weariness settle into my bones. This was supposed to be

tration. "Look, I don't want to fight. Th

ecision about our future without

confused. "What ar

g to your dad. I overheard you. You told him you were p

ce. He had the decency to loo

ision," he stammered.

drawn up next week. You were going to give our house

ents, the sale of the only home I had ever known. I had poured all o

his voice rising. "She's struggling. It's the righ

ed, a bitter, humorless sound. "Nicole knew, didn't sh

widow, acting so grateful but with an undercurrent of entitlement that now m

away. It wasn't just the house. It was the complete disregard for me, f

and picked up my phone. I needed to get away from hi

tacts and pressed the cal

econd ring. "Stella? Is eve

an anchor. "I'm fine, Nate.

t's over with Ryan. I'm

er end, then, "Good. I never

Energies has a few projects with his construction firm. I

esitation. "I'll have legal draft the notice

ng a sliver of control return

ng unbreakable. The nine-year relationship w