Chapter 27

Author’s POV

It was true, she was enraged. Vera knew it was foolish to be angry at him and still lie in bed, hoping he’d come in and share it with her. But she couldn’t help it. She had heard the shouting between Jack and Monica, the harsh exchange that echoed through the house. The only thing left that proved they had once loved each other, or at least shared something intimate, was Tim. And even that memory felt tainted.

She had almost given up waiting when she heard the slam of Jack’s bedroom door. That sound told her he had chosen solitude over her. Her stomach twisted. Still, she didn’t cry. She just lay there, eyes wide open in the dark, refusing to let the tears fall.

It would’ve been easier to stay angry, to push him away and build a wall of silence between them, but when he opened her door, unannounced, her pulse kicked up. The door creaked softly as if he had known she’d leave it unlocked. Maybe she had left it like that on purpose, hopin