pure shock. "Chloe, have you lost your mind? You arranged for your own husban

ya," I said calmly.

Maximum emotional dama

faintly. She was trying to make sense of someth

aying none of the ache that lived permanently in my chest. "He just needed a push. A reason he could justi

sted like as

erved him up a reason

d

ed. "Who was your affair with? Was it re

l. It was your

My little brother Jake? Chloe, this is insane. This is the most compl

nd, hollowing sadness. This wasn't a victory. It was a surrender, meticulously planned. I

my energy suddenly gone. "I ne

illed with concern. "Call me later. Call

, I allowed myself to feel the full weight of it, the years of dinners eaten alone, of

hed down my clothes, a

r. Ethan was home, which was a rarity before 8 PM. He was pacing in

ight with worry. "Did she eat anything? You have to ma

hen he looked back at me, his small face filled with a familiar disappointment. He was already

the kitchen, my touc

to us. "I'll handle everything. I'm getting he

is eyes scanning right past me a

command. "Some comfortable clothes, toiletries, a new toothbrush. S

o that wa

I said, my

ture of extreme agitation for him. "She's very sensiti

ur son, and being the perfect corporate wife at his side, all while my own needs we

e it has

at a conference in Tokyo. He had been annoyed by the interruption. "Just take him to the doctor, Chloe. The c

kylar, was upset, and

ed with architectural blacks and grays, and went to a section of clothes I had bought months ago, knowing this day would come. New, soft cashmere sweatpan

from my hand, his foc

r, Mr. Davison, will call you tomorrow. Just agree to whatever he p

is car roaring to life in the

t ask ab

s disappear down the long, tree-lined drive. I a

wedding an

n. Of course, h

wn to see Leo staring up at me, his eyes wi

ad at us?"

the collateral damage. This b

ouching down to his level

had been telling him,

mall arms wrapping arou

ered into his hair, holding hi

To get him out. To get us out, before his father's