ARI'S POINT OF VIEW
The sun was already leaning west when I closed my laptop. My head ached from staring at numbers, budgets, and endless emails. Still, nothing hurt more than the thoughts I couldn’t silence—thoughts about the kids.
I had heard the news. Of course I had. Derek’s pity party had already reached the public. “Can’t afford tuition for next term.” What a shame. The same Derek who once told me I was too controlling now couldn’t even control his own finances.
But if I was being honest with myself, it wasn’t Derek’s situation that lingered in my mind. It was Marcus. The boy had always been different. Quiet. Observant. Thoughtful in ways that reminded me too much of the woman I used to be before everything turned sour.
I sighed and leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling
