Chapter 1

On the way home for Thanksgiving, my husband Henry Lawson insisted on cancelling the train tickets we'd already bought and catching a ride with his friend Vivian Lane.

He said it like it was only fair. "Vivian is driving such a long distance. The least we can do is cover the gas and tolls."

Once we got on the highway, he used my card to fill up the tank. Then he used it again to buy expensive cigarettes, liquor, and other gifts for Vivian's parents.

I had barely frowned when his face darkened. "Vivian is giving us a ride, so we're covering the costs. That's just how it works. Don't be so stingy."

When we pulled into a rest stop, Henry gently pushed me out of the car. "Honey, it's cold outside. Go grab three cups of hot coffee. Vivian and I'll wait in the car."

But when I came back through the freezing wind with the coffee in my hands, the car was gone. All that was left was a patch of slushy snow.

A few minutes later, Henry sent me a message on WhatsApp. [Vivian said the back seat was way too packed with gifts, and it was uncomfortable with you sitting there.

[Plus, you kept scowling the whole way, which messed with her mood. Just get yourself a ride back. Don't ruin the fun.]

The wind bit at my cheeks.

I looked at the empty highway and the coffee still steaming in my hands, and I laughed, even though I was furious.

*****

Henry's WhatsApp messages kept lighting up my phone.

Henry: [Let me know when you get home safe. Don't make my mom worry during Thanksgiving.]

Henry: [I'll pay you back for the coffee.]

Then, 10 bucks hit my account.

I stared at the notifications, my fingers numb from the cold. I ignored his transfer and called him.

The phone rang forever before he finally picked up. In the background, I caught Vivian's playful laughter and the car stereo.

"What now? Didn't I tell you to get yourself a ride? It's easy to get one at the rest stop," Henry said, sounding impatient.

I sniffled, my voice shaky. "Henry, did you really just leave me here?"

"Leave you? Don't be so dramatic," Henry sneered. "You made Vivian upset. She's giving us a ride, and you were sulking. Now you're throwing off her driving. If anything happens, are you gonna take responsibility?"

Vivian chimed in, her voice just loud enough for me to catch. "Henry, stop. Charlotte didn't mean it. Maybe she's just not used to my car. Just talk to her nicely, okay? No need to argue."

That sugary, passive-aggressive tone instantly set me off.

"Henry, you have half an hour to come back and pick me up," I said. "Or else..."

"Or else what?" Henry cut me off, his voice dripping with disdain. "Charlotte, don't be so ungrateful. Let me spell it out, this mess is all your fault. You better apologize to me and Vivian right now."

I was shaking all over, furious.

He kept ranting, "Say sorry, and maybe I'll consider coming back for you. Otherwise, enjoy spending Thanksgiving at the rest stop alone."

With that, he hung up on me.

I tried calling him again, but no one answered.

The rest stop was packed with people, all rushing home for Thanksgiving.

But I was the only one left behind, like I'd been thrown away by the whole world.

I hurled the three cups of coffee into the trash can, and the scalding liquid splashed out, burning the back of my hand.

I didn't shed a tear. I just grabbed my phone and dialed another number, keeping my voice steady.

"Hello, Emma. Happy Thanksgiving," I said. "Henry and I got split up, and I'm stuck at Maple Rest Stop. Can you ask him to come get me?"

My mother-in-law Emma's voice came through, sharp and mean. "Split up? Charlotte, seriously, how do you even get lost at your age? Are you throwing a tantrum again and making my son mad?

"Listen, Vivian was nice enough to give you two a ride. Don't act so entitled. Henry is too busy and tired to come back for you. Deal with it yourself."

And with that, she hung up on me too.

I stared at my phone screen as it went dark, thinking that this family really stuck together against me.

I stopped asking for help. I opened the ride-hailing app, added 100 bucks to the fare, and finally, a driver agreed to take me across the state.

Four hours later, the car slowly eased into the city.

I didn't head back to the home Henry and I shared. Instead, I told the driver to go to the old neighborhood Emma lived in.

It was Thanksgiving Eve, and the whole city was lit up for the holiday.

Downstairs at Emma's place, a familiar car was parked.

It was Vivian's white BMW.