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Chapter One

Today was always going to be a life changer, Felicity knew that Watching her firstborn walk across the graduation stage, s ear to ear, was one of those slow-motion mohter, Honor, was done Eighteen A high-school graduate, ready to spend the night celebrating with her friends

Which was exactly as it should be

This, now, leading her two kids into the eency room, was not

“How serious was the accident?” Honor asked, holding tightly to her hand

“Honor,” Nick, her sixteen-year-old, snapped “You heard as much as she did”

It had been one of those times she’d wished her phone wasn’t synced to her car How could she have known the hospital was calling? How could she have known Matt, her ex—the kids’ father—had been in an accident? A serious accident They’d all just assumed Matt had ditched, as was the trend

“Holdfor her little brother’s hand

Nick didn’t say a word, but Honor didn’t have to ask again

The way her kids relied on each other was one good thing to cos anymore They were best friends Best friends who had no idea as happening It was possible Matt’s replace roos like this happened

Coawatt s toMatt’s son, Jack—the baby Nick bla their happy faether, there were no guarantees When it came to his father, Nick was equal parts hostility and resentment The potential for reality-television dra room was a real concern

But if the last two years had taught her anything, it was that a s she felt like doing was s Like now

“Is that Dr Murphy?” Nick asked

Felicity glanced at the man at the nurses’ station At well over six feet, Grahareen hospital scrubs was a relief While the two of them hadn’t been close the last few years, Grahah med school and partners when Matt still had his OB/GYN practice here in Pecan Valley “Graham?”

“Yes?” Graha his features—briefly His brown gaze searched hers “Felicity” That was all Her name, without a hint of emotion

But he was having a hard ti eye contact with the kids, and that said so much If Matt was okay, he’d say so Wouldn’t he? He’d offer so The shock of the phone call was quickly turning into so substantial—and cold

“I got a phone call? About Matt” Maybe he didn’t know anything Maybe—