Chapter 1
My name is Anne, and this is the day my marriage ended.
Denver International Airport was crowded that morning. Rolling suitcases rattled across polished floors. Boarding announcements echoed overhead. Families hugged goodbye while business travelers hurried toward security checkpoints.
In the middle of it all stood Lucas and me.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. "Hey," he said softly, brushing my hair away from my face. "Everything's going to be okay."
"Two years is such a long time."
"I know. It's only temporary. This promotion is huge, Anne. Zurich is an incredible opportunity. This changes our future."
The irony almost made me laugh. Instead, I buried my face against his chest. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"You'll barely notice I'm gone."
He kissed my forehead. "Call me every day," I whispered. "I promise." "Take care of yourself." "I love you." The words felt like poison. "I love you too," I replied. The lie tasted bitter.
I watched him walk toward security. Halfway there, he turned around and waved. I waved back. Then he disappeared.
May you like
And the second he was out of sight, my tears stopped. Completely.
I reached into my purse, removed a tissue, and calmly wiped my face. The heartbreak vanished. What remained was something colder.
