By the time I got home my fists were no longer shaking with rage. My face was no longer flushed with fury. The hot emotions had ebbed, replaced by a placid resolve. I learned something today. Something that could clean up the mess that had been made of my life.

I once protected you and Ryan—at a price you’ll never be able to repay.

Owen Fischer had a secret, and I would unearth it and then bury him with it. A costly secret that had something to do with me and Ryan. But what could it possibly be?

I wasn’t some naïve waif Owen could manipulate. I wasn’t his doormat of a wife he could wipe his dirty feet on. I was a smart, resourceful woman; hear me roar. And I would tear Owen limb from limb for destroying my son’s life.

Ryan’s statement had been short, with Grant’s guidance. “Just tell them what happened as you remember it. No more, no less,” Grant had advised. So Ryan did. Then it was over. I had imagined the interrogation would go on for hours, but then again, I watch too many crime shows. Grant returned home with relief in his eyes, although when I pressed for details, he couldn’t get a read on what the detective had been thinking.

“It’s just a matter of waiting it out at this point. You did good, son,” Grant said as he patted Ryan on the back like he’d just made honor roll. With a somberness that broke my heart, Ryan headed to his bedroom and I hadn’t seen him since. That was hours ago.

I reached for my glass of wine that still sat untouched on the coffee table, and downed it in one long gulp, allowing the tang to course through my veins and relax me. The house was blessedly quiet—a rare commodity for any family with kids—the foreboding calm broken only by the distant sound of Grant mowing the yard and the laughter of Lucas and Willow playing on the swing set.

“Higher, higher!” I heard Lucas yell while Willow pushed him. “I want to reach heaven!”

I wondered if such a place even existed.

I considered dusting or mopping or starting dinner, none of which I felt like doing. It was either busy myself with housework or ponder Ryan’s situation until my brain exploded. I was pretty sure my brain was already mush by now.