thing stable and real. I had poured everything into my career, raising my daughter, Lily, on my own. I had sacrificed sleep, friendships, and any chance of a personal life. I looked back on thos

Thom

was supposed to be my fiancé, the father of

The house I hadn't set foot in since the day he disappeared from my life. It was in the wealthiest part of the city, a place I no longer belonged. I p

day he'd come back, explain everything, and we'd be a family. I walked up the stone path, my

ize stood there, lookin

?" she asked, h

y voice barely a whisper. I meant David's

e maid said curtly. "And Mr. Th

d to close

ion washing over me. "I just need to

or a second, then hardened

turned to walk away, a car pulled into the driveway. A sleek, b

smatic tech CEO the world adored. My heart stopped. For a

he other d

h David' s, her hand resting possessively on his chest. She was glowing, and I

nt announcement in a society magazine I had seen earlier that day flashed in my mi

small gasp of pain, because David' s head turned. His eyes met mine.

" he asked, h

e. Her eyes widened, first in shock

ce. "David? It

o Chloe, as if searching for

arm. She turned to me, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

ooked at David, at the man who had held me and promised me forever. "H

ad. "I think you're mistaken. I've been engaged to

force that made me stumble back. "We have a daught

of something crossed David's face, a dee

rieked, her voice

ppeared from the

ctured fear. "Get her out of here! This woman

nt and curiosity. I could hear them whispering. "Is that Sarah Miller?" "I heard she had a

adable, letting Chloe's lies hang in the air. He didn't defend me. He did

d I knew it was over. The small, foolish hope I had clung to

trash can. I took the key out of my pocket, the cold metal a reminder of a life that was never mine. I held it