Ashley was devastated. She felt hollow and empty. DJ left without giving her a chance to explain. He didn’t want to listen to anything. He didn’t even want to be near her. The sight of her nauseated him. The irritation and hatred she saw in his eyes scalded her skin.

She remained seated on the sofa long after he was gone, mulling, cussing and drowning in self reprimand. This was far from what she had envisioned.

She had envisioned fulfillment. She was supposed to be happy. Supposed to ...