The next morning arrived, but Jacob hadn’t slept a minute. He’d spent the entire night in the library, too ashamed to face Shelly, too broken to climb those stairs.

But as the first light crept through the windows, he finally found the strength. Quietly, he walked upstairs and stood outside her door. He knocked gently. Once, twice—still no response. After several attempts, he heard the faint click of the lock.

He opened the door slowly and stepped inside.

Shelly sat on the edge of the ...