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But I don’t It would scare Dex, it would anger Mel It would only s harder for me

Instead I do what she asks Ice is in the pit of est suitcase and carry theo back for the re two

Once everything’s loaded, I turn the car back toward Wil briefly at a liquor store for a fifth of Dewar’s It doesn’t take long before I’ure outis certain, no matter what she says, this is not over

Chapter 5: Heartbreak

Melissa

Tears coatlittle boy back and forth onfor control I have to keep it together for Dex He’s only a baby He’s too s, why Daddy has to go away

Rocking hiainst rips htly I shush hi his back until he slowly cal to break down the door Derek’s anger is terrifying and his deter—my refusal to make the same mistake twice

The memory cramps my stomach and fills my eyes with fresh tears A hiccupped breath jerksDerek’s bags had been the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life, but I will not live in another house of lies and deceptions At least this time I’ve found out before it was too late

Elaine and I had spent the day taking the boys for their fittings Derek had even texted h and never said a word about being out of town or what he was doing He’d pretended he was dealing with Nikki! I can’t believe the extent of his deception, and after just pro me

The never-ending train show et free of h that what just happened is quickly forgotten Mommy’s here, he’s safe in my arms, back to the trains

Standing on shaky legs, I take his little hand and a train and slowly lead hi, it appears the same as it did when Derek was here, but if I open the closet, I’ll see the gaping hole where his suits used to hang If I open his drawers, I’ll find them empty where his jeans and tees once were His exercise clothes are gone, his socks In the bathrooone

The pack and play stands waiting as I gently lowershow on the television He’s contented as I crawl onto the bed, silently weeping as devastation tries to pull me under

My phone rings It’s Elaine’s tone, but I’m too weak to pull it out oftoday, we took the boys for ice cream Lane wanted a Coke float, but Dex only had half his dip cone before hopping down and running to the indoor playground

“Derek said not to, but we should drop by the office since we’re in town” I watched our little boys play Dex stormed across the top level with such deterh

“Did you forget someth