Page 147 of Sin

“You really love her?”

I look up. “Yes.”

He studies me. Then his shoulders lower slightly.

“Then stop making her pay for your cowardice.”

The door closes behind him.

I sit alone in the conference room, the city spread out beneath the windows, my company trembling under my feet, my marriage publicly broken open, and Laurel’s name moving through the building like a spark near gasoline.

For the first time, I don’t think about how to hide.

I think about how to stand in front of it.

How to protect her without owning her.

How to love her without making her smaller.

How to end one life before asking for another.

My phone buzzes. A message from Laurel.

Laurel Cross

I’m guessing everyone knows.

My chest aches as I type back.

Yes.

Her reply comes after a long moment.

Are you okay?

This woman. She’s possibly at risk of losing everything she built. And still asking about me.

I close my eyes. Then I type the truth.

No. But I’m handling it.

I won’t let you face this alone.

Her answer comes back almost immediately.

You may not get to decide that.

I stare at the message. Then I look at the policy folder. At the empty chairs where my brothers sat. At the bare finger where my ring used to be.

She’s right. I don’t get to decide for her anymore. So I type the only thing I can.

Then I’ll ask and pray you let me stay.

For the first time all morning, I feel something steadier than fear.

Not peace, not yet, but resolve.

And hope that everything is going to work out the way it’s supposed to.