spirit fragile. He spoke softly, the guilt heavy in his voice. "May

arely able to

controlled. "It's not safe for you here anymore. I'll have s

d, torn between re

d been waiting hours for Alex to emerge, desperate for a statement, any sign of remorse or defiance. Ca

d out, "Can you tell us what you h

"My family and I are going through a very difficult time. I ask for

vanished inside his car, leaving a ci

kyline, her mind a storm of fury and heartbreak. The public spectacle had already ignited w

hadn't called in years. The line connected, an

want everything ready by tomorr

, a calculated calm settling over her as she began plotting her next moves. She paced the room, the shar

r but beneath it all was steel determination. She wasn't a

my options," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I want to protect the child

to confront the emotional wreckage, both for herself and her kids.

u're hearing or seeing, know this-I love you both, and no matt

ight, while Karen nodded slo

m into a protective embrace. "W

s were already deepening, and th

e flushed with frustration and anger. The ten

the hell were you thinking? Beating Maya like that? You made a

far too long. "You think I wanted to be the one who exposed us like this? I'm s

kids. For Jason and Karen. But I'm done pretending this marriage is something it'

us. "I've already spoken to the lawyer. The divorc

once ruled boardrooms with unshakable confiden

hing raw and unsettled. "You're really going through

one, Alex? Don't forget, I'm the one who held this fam

he room. "I didn't want it to come to th

and breaking our children's hearts? You think this i

oed from the hallway.

oward her son. "Go back to your room, Ja

is eyes unmistakable, before h

hen back at Evelyn. "You thi

o save what's left of my self-respect

er words hung h

hat's how it's going to be, then so be it. But

hed. "Good. Becaus

e with essentials. His hands were steady, but his mind was a storm. He knew he couldn't stay, not here, not wi

eight of Evelyn's brutal attack pressing down on her like a physical force. The

, eyes red and puffy from crying. Jason didn't know how to comfort her; he felt helpless. Finall

hoped would bring so

Jason said softly

alright?" came the concer

t ending the marriage. I don't want that to happen

d arrived, Marianne, a woman whose own marriage ha

ving room, shadows cast

re hurting. And you're angry. But twenty years... that

d. "But he betrayed m

ting through the worst to hold onto what's real. Remember when we start

welling up again. "I don

or your family. Fight for you. But only fight

, a fragile resolve

he city buzz and the prying eyes that had plagued Maya's apartment. The late afternoon sun cast long

ya stood there, wrapped in a soft cardiga

. What happened... it shouldn't have. You don't ha

ll raw in her expression but a fli

rters were still out there somewhere, hungry

settle into the quiet rooms of Maya's new house. He moved through the space almost mechanical

folded and unfolded the hem of her cardigan. Alex could see the fatigue

ter this time, filled with a rare vulnerability. "You di

ou didn't. That was you

t makes this so complicated. But right now, y

wly. The silence between them was heavy but necessary,

ings tomorrow," he said. "And I'

moment, the anger and pain softened, rep

e know this was j