Hazel stood in the falling snow, the cold wind brushing lightly against her cheeks. Her fingers tightened around her phone as she shut the screen with a soft click. She could not bring herself to read another word from her father. The messages had drained whatever warmth she had left in her chest. She inhaled deeply, fighting against the lump in her throat as she gathered her thoughts.
Logan watched her quietly. He did not ask again what the messages said. He did not reach for her or tell her what to do. But his presence stood beside her like a silent wall, unmoving and unyielding. Something about that steadiness gave Hazel enough strength to move again.
She quickly slipped her phone into her coat pocket and pulled her marriage certificate out. Without thinking too deeply, she opened her
