Katelyn’s POV

An hour after Brian left, I was still at the office, alone. The hum of the air conditioner buzzed softly in the background, and outside, the city with its usual activities of the day.

I stared blankly at my computer screen, not really seeing it. My phone buzzed a few times, notifications, messages, things I didn’t care to check.

Earlier that evening, I had asked Lucas if he could stay overnight at my parents’ house.

He didn’t even hesitate. “Sure, Mommy,” he had said, ...