"Rebecca just called—she's scared of the thunder. You know how timid she is. She can't be alone. If I'm late, she won't sleep all night."
My fingers tightened around the broken crown.
Talia had just cried herself into convulsions because of him. Her own father hadn't spared her a single thought.
But that woman was afraid of a little thunder, and he couldn't get to her fast enough.
Before I could respond, Victor was already at the door.
He changed his shoes. Grabbed his car keys. Adjusted his collar in the mirror.
Every movement smooth and practiced. Not a trace of hesitation. Not a flicker of regret.
The door slammed shut behind him.
The house fell into a silence so complete it felt like death.
The tension drained from my spine all at once. I crumpled onto the carpet, boneless.
I didn't want to cry, but my eyes burned and swelled with unshed tears.
This past year had wrung me dry. There was nothing left to give.
The first breakdown came when I discovered the man who'd once promised to love me forever had betrayed our family—for a fresh-faced intern barely out of college.