wo: The E

and her eyes-once bright with hope-were now hollow and tired. She couldn't recognize the woman looking back at her

needed here." The final confirmation of what she had known all along. No matter what she did, he would never see her

er stomach. He didn't care that s

ent years trying to win his affection, to make him see her as someone worth lovi

ng down her cheeks silently. But this time, they w

e. I can't sta

that had never felt like home. Reina wiped her tears and began to pack. She grabbed a suitcase from

would be better than here. Anywhere would be better than living with a man who hated her, who made her feel worthless. She didn't have

r, and

self anymore. She was leaving for the life she carried. Her baby deserved better than to grow

cold surface of the divorce papers she had signed earlier that day. It felt like a lifetime ago. Ethan didn't even know ab

more. She wasn't doing this for hi

alls were pressing in on her, reminding her of all the nights she had cried herself to sleep here, all the

e and headed for the door. Her heart pounded in her chest, the rea

oorknob, but she didn't hesitate. She had

o bed, and the only sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock downstairs. R

front door, a voice sto

thout sayin

o see Ethan standing at the bottom of the staircase, his

retend she was just going for a walk or a drive to clear her head. But then she remembered t

e steady even though her

s jaw tightening. "You th

ard. "I signed th

ase in her hand. "And what ma

was something different in his voice now, something darker. She wa

ng every ounce of courage she had left. "I'm leav

r with that same cold, hard gaze he always gave.

igned some papers?" he asked, stepping cl

ped just inches from her, tow

voice low and dangerous. "You think I'm jus

d herself to stay calm. She had to be strong n

her voice firmer this time. "

he might grab her, force her to stay. But instead, he

d, his voice dripping with

ing the handle of her suitc

the cool night air hitting her like a wave of relief. She didn't sto

ee. At lea