e bedroom, his face a mas

absurd, Sarah. Wher

a harsh, dis

ances, remember? Every card, every a

the doorframe, c

. Now stop this nonsense and unpack

eatly, mechanically. My old jeans, a few sweaters, the p

Are you listening to

udden surge of strength I

cross his perfectly ch

echoed i

rage that was truly terrifying. For a seco

sistent sound. He glanced at the caller ID, and h

ed, his voice instantly smoother, c

ng, then said, "I'

glared at me. "

he doorway, his eyes wide. He hadn't seen

lip trembling. Then, his gaze hardened, mimicking his

rt anymore. They we

n, to years ago. I wasn't alw

y for truth, with a fello

aide then, full of grand pronouncements about

harp mind" and "insider knowledge" of the city

like me, someone smart, some

c older man. My parents, always critical of my "unstable" jo

een an undercurrent for years, Victoria al

s, the late-night strategy se

nymous email with photos. David and Victoria, tangled

efully constructed denia

ears streaming. He'd

It means nothing. Victoria unde

to leave. Packed a small bag

s' house, heartbroken,

xpression souring when she saw m

now, S

ng. The affair, the

avid is a successful man. He has needs. Me

A broken home? And David's career... a scandal would ruin him. You need

sided with the image, the succe

ll accountant, was their golden child. "Why can't

y resolve. I slamme

tanding. No mo

rity, piece by piece, for David's am

aunched my career. David had convinced me managing his first city c

had becom