You lied to me.

You lied to her parents.

You have brought disgrace on this entire family, Julian.

Pack your bags.” And with that, with the last ally in the room turning against him, my husband’s resistance collapsed, and he retreated up the grand staircase in absolute defeat, to gather his things.

Chapter 12 — Your Name Was Never on the Title

Ten minutes later, Julian came back down the staircase, dragging two hastily packed duffel bags.

He paused at the bottom, and he looked at me, and I could see him searching my face for something, some flicker of regret, some hesitation, some crack in my resolve that he might still work his way back through.