My Second Chance, His Last

o had been watching us with growing suspicion, stormed over. Her face

apped me hard across the cheek

, Sarah!" she spat.

m. "Tiff, calm down," he said, but his eyes on me were cold. "Sarah was just being dramatic about her

es. I wouldn't lift a finger. "Fine," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "Keep the letter, Ethan. I

r science, the logic and precision a welcome ant

a small, sad affair by all accounts. They both worked at

emands. Money for a new car, money because Tiffany wan

our "past" and his supposed sacrifices. I ignored them al

at. Eventually, I moved my parents to Austin with me, where my tech startup was beginn

ed to Mark Davidson, a kind, intelligent software engine

th our second child. Life was good, stable, s

ack in my hometown. I had to go. Mark came

er. The contrast was stark. I wore a simple bu

y looked... worn. Their clothes were faded, their faces etched with a wea

Mark, then Leo. Disbelief warred with a strange, possessive glint. Tiffany j