ophia had sent. The entrance to Blackwood Forest was marked by a rustic wooden sig

he forest pressing in. I repacked the box, my hands moving mechanically. Each it

I saw them. A large, state-of-the-art tent was pitched in a small clearing, a

lliant smile. It was the smile she used for her

made it! Oh

a quick, dry hug. She immediately pulled back a

e drive terrible? Did the box get w

for me, her husband, who had just driven

said, my voice steady.

all act of self-preservation, a shield against t

box from me, her hands almost stroking the damp cardboard. "Liam was starting to

her, this woman I had loved for seven years, this woman I had built a life with, a

acts of faith. You think it' s a fortress, solid and impenetrable. But it' s not. It' s a sheet of glass, and

l I could see

t here all alone?" I ask

fluencer retreat. Very exclusive," she said, her eyes flashing with prid

tent. It was big enough for four pe

ling energy. She told me she loved my passion, that my art had a soul she' d never seen before. She believed in me when no one else did. We fell in love fast a

ar. My dream... my dream was still a

lly turning her attention back to me. "Thanks so

esture one might give

its contents on the muddy ground in front of her. I wanted to dema

I di

s an explanation. Maybe this was all some horrible, elaborate misunderstanding. It was a stupid th

Not yet. I had to see thi