The drive to Richard's house felt longer than it should have. Chloe kept glancing at her mother in the passenger seat, wondering if this was a mistake. Angela sat stiff-backed, her eyes fixed on the horizon like she'd been waiting years for this road.

"Mom," Chloe said softly. "You don't have to do this."

Angela's lips pressed thin. "Yes, I do. Not just for me. For you, too. We can't keep living in his shadow. I want him to see that he didn't break us."

Chloe gripped the wheel tighter. ...