become a constant, insistent sound, a gnawing, hollow growl

soft stir. I counted my steps across the apartment like a mantra. One... two... three... over and o

he diapers from the shelf and weighed the formula in my palm, calculating, measuring, trying to stretch every l

. Cheeks hollowed. This was not the woman Lucien had married. This was not the future I had dreamed of in university, when

im for money, for explanation, for anything. Just one apology, and perhaps he would come back. But I hesi

in desperation, I would give him a reason to think he still had

ingers curling around mine. I kissed the top of his head and whispered promises I didn't ye

tant, almost unreal, but I knew I could not remain hidden any longer. I had to move. I had to act. Pr

y body. The world didn't pause for me. It didn't slow down to accommodate a woman who had just lost everything. Cars rushed by. Peo

but undeniable. I would figure this out. Somehow. I would learn. I would survive. And one day, I would ens

wrapped in my arms