“You made your choices,” he said flatly. “Now live with them.”
Daniel gave a short, bitter laugh. “You gave up nothing. Tiffany makes me feel alive again.”
The words cut like glass. Grace stood there, numb, as Tiffany lowered her eyes, avoiding Grace’s gaze.
“Leave,” Daniel said. “I don’t want a scene.”
Grace tightened her grip on her child and stepped into the cold rain. The water soaked through her thin dress, her hair clinging to her face, but she didn’t cry. Not yet. All she felt was emptiness.
Then she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Tiffany.
“Wait,” Tiffany called.
Grace turned slowly, expecting mockery. Instead, the young woman pressed a damp bundle of bills — five hundred dollars — into her palm.
“Here,” Tiffany said softly. “Get a room somewhere safe. Just for a few days.”
