Chapter 3

3

Logan had pulled me out of the abyss so many times that I convinced myself he loved me.

I was wrong. I realized it far too late.

But now, I had a second chance to get it right.

"My parents are making your favorite dinner tonight," Logan said. "They haven't seen you in a while."

But as we pulled up to the house, one of Cynthia's friends ran over and whispered something in his ear.

"Cynthia is still shaken up from the flood," Logan said, turning to me. "She's too scared to even touch water to cook. I'm going to go make her some dinner."

After he left, I ate with his parents. As I was getting ready to head home, his mother, Sarah, came in with a dark expression.

"Did Logan go to that woman's house again?"

I didn't look surprised. Sarah dropped a bundle of green beans onto the table in frustration.

"He told me he had extra work at the station! I just ran into a neighbor who said Cynthia is out in her yard bragging about how Logan is cooking for her!"

"I don't know what he sees in her. If I wasn't afraid he'd do something reckless, I'd tell him the truth about her marriage!"

I remained silent. I already knew Cynthia had been married. Logan's parents had found out by accident years ago.

Cynthia had fled to this town because her husband was a deadbeat.

The Millers kept it a secret because they knew Logan's temper. They were afraid he'd hunt the guy down and get himself fired or thrown in jail.

In my last life, I found out after we were married. That's why I never left him.

But this time, I was done. Whatever Logan chose to do with his life was his business.

"Elena, I know you've been hurt," Sarah said softly. "We pushed for this marriage because we thought he cared for you differently, but... sigh."

I looked at her and gave a small, sad smile.

"He helped me because he's a good person, Sarah. Not because he loves me. We misunderstood him and forced him into a life he didn't want. We aren't happy. It's better to end it now."

"End it?" she gasped.

"Yes. He already signed the divorce papers. Once the paperwork is processed, we're officially done."

"Please don't tell him yet. I don't want him staying with me out of some misplaced sense of duty."

The thought of the seven years we spent as "polite strangers" made my heart ache.

That night, as I was drifting off, my bedroom door was kicked open.

Logan stood there, his eyes burning with rage.

"Elena! You just couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to run to my parents and tattle! Are you trying to drive her out of town?"