For several years, I believed we were building something permanent.

I was wrong.

When Brielle was six, Dalton packed his things and announced that he wanted a different life.

He contributed financially for only a short time before becoming harder and harder to reach.

I learned to survive without expecting anyone to rescue me.

That instinct followed me into Everett’s house.

So when I began noticing secrets between him and Brielle, my mind immediately went somewhere dark.

## The Secret Between My Husband and My Daughter

One afternoon, I passed the sitting room and heard Brielle whispering.

“Mom really can’t know?”

Everett lowered his voice.