ing little to thaw the cold knot of anxiety in my stomach. When Leo spotted m

arkling with an innocence that simultaneously broke and mended

. How many times had I seen that hopeful sparkle dim? How many times had I

vibrated in my pocket. A text. It was Holden. A single

a foolish, fleeting emotion, a ghost of the hope I use

h, a little too breathless. I hugged him tighter. "

y? Daddy's coming?" He bounced on the balls of his feet, his

had ever agreed to come home for Leo's birthday. A small victory,

om, and the aroma of Leo' s favorite homemade pizza filled the air. I baked a small cake, frosted it with his favorite blue icing, and set out his gifts, carefully wrapped

ed. Six o'cloc

mail. I tried again. And again. Each ring echoed the growing emptines

e away from my latest failed attempt to reach Holden. He looked

and battered, cracked a little further. How could I explain? How could I tell

's not too busy. He just... he had something unexpected come up." Another lie. A necessary one, for now

nce speaking volumes. Then, after a moment, he s

msy paper hat, emblazoned with cartoon superheroes. As I placed it gently on his he

t in a shimmering gown, clinking champagne glasses with a man whose arm was draped possessively around her waist.

his wedding ring. My wedding ring. The one he always claimed he wore, but never d

at an exclusive rooftop restaurant, celebrating, undoubtedly,

s place, an icy calm settled over my soul. This wasn't just neglect. This was a deliberate

reen. Then, with a chilling