Chapter 4

It was early morning when Brad finally pushed open the front door, exhausted from the trip.

He was humming a tune, carrying a specialty thank-you cake that Ashley had baked for him.

He thought that just like before, a few casual excuses would make my daughter and me swallow all our grievances and forgive him like nothing had happened.

But when he walked into our master bedroom, the smile on his face froze completely.

My coats, shoes, and personal belongings were entirely gone.

There was no warm aroma of dinner in the air—only a cold, dead silence.

Panic seized Brad.…