an stayed by my side, a silent, solid presence in the swirling chaos. When the initial sh

empty. No si

refighter then, cocky and charming, and I was a driven, slightly lonely surgical resident. He' d pursued me relentlessly, a whirlwind of grand gestur

ugh for him. I told him it didn' t matter. I bought the ring. I bought the house. I tol

his stagnated, something shifted. The pride curdled into resentment. My long hours were no longe

tarted spending more and more time with her and Caleb, under the guise of helping them out.

hold onto the memory of the man he o

the best in people, even when they didn't deserve it. You wanted the f

, humorless laugh

... it wasn't just a dream. I woke up this morning, and I knew. I remembered everything.

him, stunned

by. That's why I knew to call the DuPage Count

ost buckled me, washed through the numb

my throat. "I'm so sorry. For everything. Fo

my raw nerves. "We all take detours. The

g out into the dark street. "I'm taking you

ddenly lit up with a barrage of notifications

ou? The pol

e phone! What the hel

y mom and Matthew are... N

a number I didn't reco

I can't imagine what you're going through. Andrew is completely falling apart. If there's anything, anything at all I can do.

ut listening to the end. Th

stood up, grabbing my purse and my keys. I w

yer, a woman known for her mer

divorce. Immediatel