sked, "Did Mother call ye

rare event. But his eyes were al

Sarah kept her voice neutral. Inside, she was counting down the

smile playing on his lips. "Good.

cour

sonal items she'd brought with her. She made his favorite meals, the ones he actually a

family's. The Christmases spent ensuring Ethan wasn't alone, while her own f

dia. He'd call his tailor, his barber, his friends, all abuzz about Olivia's ret

the house, more than usual.

t a real marriage, not in any emotional sense. But Eleanor, for appearances, had insisted on a quiet, legal ceremony three years ago. "To

the divorce papers for you to sign. M

erruption. "Divorce? Oh, right. That." He waved a

idn't ask where she was

d of next week," Sarah sta

on already drifting back to his phone.

lly. Services. That's

ller. The terms of our a

f something unreadable in

eaving?" he asked, as

es

o?" A casual, alm

ncern, Mr. Miller."

re everything is in order before you go.

find her own replacement. Th

d, turning to leave. She wouldn't giv

Peterson, the head housekeeper. A kind woman

erson said, her eyes sad. "You deserv

rson. I'm free now."

life, child. D

couldn't wait to lea