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The maître d' approached with that look—pity barely masked by professional courtesy. "Another glass of champagne, Mrs. Montgomery?" I shook my head, forcing a smile that felt like cracked porcelain. "No, thank you. I'm sure my husband will be here any minute." We both knew it was a lie. The anniversary dinner reservation had been for 7:30 PM. The delicate watch on my wrist—a wedding gift from Chris—now read 9:17. Around me, Boston's elite dined in intimate pairs, their laughter and conversation forming a backdrop that only amplified my solitude. The candle between the two place settings had burned down significantly, wax pooling on the pristine tablecloth. The small gift box wrapped in silver paper sat untouched