Then, my indifferent father shocked the hell out of me by pulling me into his side in a tight man hug. It felt good—the first inkling of warmth I had received since Alexis left town.

“I know, Owen. But you don’t have to stop loving her in order to love another. The human capacity for change is amazing. One person doesn’t have to be replaced. There’s enough room for both,” Dad grumbled. “Shit, I’m just stuffing this up, aren’t I?”

I snickered. “No, you actually make complete sense. I will love this child, Dad. Give this little boy or girl my everything. And if I somehow manage to become half the dad you are, they will be one lucky kid.”

Dad coughed to clear his throat, but he couldn’t hide the pride written over his face. “I know it’s not how you envisioned it, but you will be the best father, Owen. I have no doubt. And we will be there with you, every step of the way.”

I nodded, my future not seeming as daunting as it had earlier. I still had a family willing to support me, to stay in my corner. I wanted to be a better man, to become deserving of their devotion again.

“Do you mind if I sit by the lake for a bit, Dad? I won’t be long.”

“Take your time, son. I’ll always be here.”

I sat lakeside with my arms circling my bent knees, reminiscing over my marriage and shared history with Alexis—filled with so much affection and joy.

At twenty-six, she remained as breathtaking as when I first saw her in high school. The Thorne family had moved to our small town of Acacia Falls over the summer, and the place was abuzz with the newcomers’ arrival.

I knew many thought love at first sight was a myth, a phony construct made up by fantastical movies and works of fiction, but they were wrong.

As soon as I saw her unblemished neck tipped back with unguarded laughter, I knew Alexis was mine, and that she’d be in my life forever.

Then commenced my shoddy job at chasing the girl until she felt sorry for me enough to agree to a date—which turned into all our firsts. A first kiss, our first intimacy, our engagement, then marriage.

I was happy. We were happy.

So why did I go and implode all that happiness in the time span of one unforgivable act? I couldn’t fathom the thought of losing her over something so meaningless and stupid.

Useless tears lined my lashes as searing hopelessness continued to carve a deep hole into my conscience. I couldn’t live without her. Still, reality was a vicious bitch that refused to be denied.