punch to the gut, "Jessi

ivering the news, but Mike knew Tom w

ey're saying L

r-old boy, the ce

floor drop out

ed Jessica

ny it, just shrugged, a s

ou going to do

, a wealthy local businessm

's. She'd confirmed it, casua

break something, but a col

divorce,

id, already scrollin

use, his vision blurred by

been his rock, especially

as calm, logical. She'd understa

bling out, "Jessica... an affair... Richard

ed, her face

shock, ang

a glass of water, her mo

her voice even, "you

did you hear what I said? Sh

tters, Michael. You raised him. And J

isbelief. "Support? She nee

. "A divorce will destroy him. You need t

ike's voice cracked. "H

him, put a hand on

t want to do for the people we love. Jess

y. "This is more than a mistake, M

, his bright smile, the way h

ysical thing, twi

, Mom. I

ess. "Michael, please. Don't be rash

he didn't understand, but it was lace

own mother, siding with the wo

think," he mumbl

drastic right now," Sarah said. "A mont

ca, knowing everything? It

's face, the strange inten

Mom. On

ing more alone than he