I didn't touch our photographs, our couple's keepsakes, or the engagement ring he'd placed back in its jewelry box.Before I left, I set my keys in Matteo's palm.He flinched as if they'd burned him, then grabbed my hand."Elena, please don't go."What am I supposed to do without you?"I peeled his fingers from mine, one by one, until the keys lay in his open palm.I didn't turn around.The door closed behind me, cutting off the sound of his crying.Once I was discharged, I left Valmont. I put every remaining legal matter into Stefano's hands and moved to Brynhaven, a little seaside town an ocean away.It was beautiful there, with green mountains, a wild coastline, and the sea never far away.I bought a pale-gray stone cottage with a low hedge and a little garden. Then I adopted a golden retriever.Walking the dog and wandering through town became my daily routine.Life was peaceful. With every passing day, the trouble back in Valmont felt farther away.Mom and Valentina k
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