Emails deleted.
Letters intercepted.
Every path led back to Ashley.
She hadn’t just destroyed my marriage.
She had stolen my family.
That same evening, I drove to the rural shelter where David said Emily was staying.
My heart pounded harder with every step.
When I finally saw her sitting on a bench holding the twins, I barely recognized the strength in her face.
She looked up.
Our eyes met.
“Emily,” I whispered.
She stood immediately.
Not with hope.
Not with happiness.
With caution.
The twins stared at me from her arms.
