Chapter 1

I walked out of the airport after five years abroad, my heart full of hope that Harris would keep his promise and propose to me.

But he just stood there, his face blank. "Sandy, I'm sorry."

Before I could even process that, he kept going.

"That transfer order... I arranged it."

"I deliberately had you reassigned to that remote project out west so I could have space — for me and Ismael."

"She was pregnant back then. I had no choice."

A long silence. I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

Five years. The desert wind cutting across the flats, brutal heat, sixteen-hour workdays — pure hell.

And all of it had been a cage he built for me.

"You're too aggressive, too forceful. I was afraid you'd hurt her."

"I'm not telling you this to ask for forgiveness. I just want you to calm down ahead of time — don't make a scene."

His voice carried the weight of someone who'd already made peace with what he'd done.

I stepped back and dodged his outstretched hand, smiling through tears.

"Harris, you turned something that could have ended with dignity into something that never will."