The moment Marian walked away, Elise felt the building exhale around her — like the walls themselves knew a storm had passed but left the air electric and unsettled. Gary was still rambling apologies to Daniel, who looked like someone had punched him in the lungs. Isabella tugged on Elise’s blouse, asking about stickers, crayons, anything — and Elise forced herself to bend down, to smile, to mother.
Automatic.
Trained.
Practiced.
But beneath the surface, her pulse trembled like a taut violin string.
She hadn’t expected to see Marian again — certainly not like this. Not standing in their office, breathing the same air, seeing the life Elise and Daniel built and believing it was born from love.
It stung — not because Marian was here, but because of what it did to him.
To Daniel.
And
