I left the hospital carrying my daughter’s ashes when my husband finally called from wherever he was with his mistress and coldly said, “The bill has been taken care of. Stop bothering me.” I didn’t argue with him. I didn’t allow him to hear my voice break.

“Then we will go see the whole world together.”

I had once foolishly believed my ultimate victory would be Brendan losing his family company, Ximena facing legal consequences, or the Vance fortune returning to my complete control.

It wasn’t any of those things.

My real victory was no longer allowing the Fairchild family’s choices to decide what happened to the rest of my life.

Chloe had spent three short years teaching me that love was measured in true presence, not empty promises.

Brendan learned that bitter lesson long after she was gone.

I intended to spend the rest of my life remembering it while I was still here to live it.

THE END.