The next thirty-six hours were a surreal, funeral procession. The house was a shrine to a life that had died, and Davidson was a ghost strolling its halls. Melissa spoke to him only as necessary, her voice a dry, hollow instrument that pierced more effectively than any scream. She was a fortress, and he was the conqueror she had already yielded to, awaiting now for him to formally possess the territory.He loaded one large duffel. Work boots, jeans, a few flannel shirts—the outfit of his old life, now a costume. He stuffed in the one suit he owned, the one he wore to his wedding, and it dangled in the bag like a promise he deserted.Sunday morning, they went to church. It was Melissa's idea, said in that same horrifyingly calm voice. "The kids expect it. We will not cause a scene.".They took their usual pew. Davidson tried to focus on the pastor's sermon about faith and family, but every sentence felt like a personal admonishment. He could feel the curious, sympathetic glances of the
Last Updated : 2025-08-28 Read more