Today's Reading

PROLOGUE

I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from, but I really wanted to tell you how sorry I am.

You must realize that I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you, but I made a mistake, a huge mistake, and I understand that.

I realize there's no going back, and I'm not asking for that. I just wanted to tell you how much I regret what happened and that, given the choice, I would do anything for a chance to do things differently.

Also, I know I don't have any right to ask, but I hope you're okay.

I'm not sure what else to say. just know that I never meant to hurt you and I'm so very, very sorry.


CHAPTER ONE

Leonie Hayes glanced around, hesitant as she joined the line of people up ahead. She was terrified of bumping into someone she knew, anyone who might recognize her and wonder what she was doing here.

Though standing at the Dublin airport, waiting in line for U.S. immigration, it was pretty obvious what she was doing, but she just didn't want to get into the nitty-gritty. Loosening the crocodile clip she was wearing, she let her long, auburn hair fall down around her face, just in case.

"Move along...this way please...keep it moving," a nearby official urged as the long stream of people slowly shuffled forward.

What was she doing? Leonie asked herself, feeling a sudden flash of hesitation as she progressed along the line. Was it too late to turn back now and go home, back to comfortable, normal, and familiar? But just as quickly, she remembered that things were different now. So much had changed.

She couldn't stay put and cross her fingers that everything magically worked itself out—that wasn't her way. She needed to do something, keep moving...

The ringing of her phone from inside her handbag interrupted Leonie's musing, and rummaging briefly through her things, she took out the device and checked the caller display.

Grace. Again.

Her heart quickened. It was the third call from her best friend in as many days, and while she knew she should answer it, she really couldn't talk to anyone right now.

There would be too many questions and explanation requests. Leonie could barely make sense of her own thoughts at the moment, let alone try to explain them to anyone else. So no, she couldn't talk to Grace. Maybe after some space, she'd be able to explain things better. Grace would be worried about her, of course, but she'd hit the roof if she found out what Leonie was planning.

The ringing stopped, but it was quickly followed by a double beep signaling a voicemail.

"Me again," Grace said on playback, and Leonie could hear her best friend's toddler twins shrieking in the background. "Where are you? I've been trying to reach you for days," her friend added, disappointed. "I hope everything's okay or more importantly that you're okay. I'm sure the weekend was tough but...will you just call me back when you get this? I'm here, any time," she added softly. "Just please call me back. Hope to talk to you soon. Bye."

Now Leonie felt guilty about not taking the call, so she dialed straight through to her friend's mailbox. The coward's way out, but it would have to do in the circumstances.

"Grace, it's me. I'm so sorry I haven't been in touch, but things have been..." Despite herself, her voice broke, and she felt a huge lump in her throat. Then she swallowed hard and took a deep breath before continuing. "Just wanted to check in to say that I'm okay. I promise I'll tell you everything as soon as I can, but I really need some breathing space at the moment. Please don't worry. I'm all right and I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

She took another deep breath before switching off the phone and putting it back in her pocket. That sounded reasonable, didn't it?

And it was the truth—of sorts. Though to Grace, probably a little extreme. Some people might call it running away, but for Leonie, when times got tough, being on the move felt a whole lot better than standing still.

Look forward, not back. That's not the direction you're headed.
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