I walked into the notary’s office knowing my ex, his mistress, and his mom would be waiting… but the moment the will was read, the lawyer looked at me and said: “Mrs. Rowan… I’m glad you came.”

Dana Fletcher, at a small cafe that smelled like cinnamon and hope. I told her everything in clipped sentences, as if distance could protect me.

“You have to go,” she said without hesitation.

“I do not want closure,” I replied.

“I do not want them.”

“If Samuel included you,” Dana said, “there is a reason. And it may protect you.”

I did not want to admit continue reading …