Page 124 of In the Air Tonight

Heavy footsteps on the stairs alert me to him coming down.

I go into the first-floor powder room and shut the door, so I won’t have to see him again.

I fear I might beg him to stay since I have no idea what I’m going to do without him. How will I raise three children on my own without his emotional, physical and financial support? I’ve hardly eaten anything today, but when I recall sinking a huge chunk of our savings into a campaign that’s over now, it’s all I can do not to vomit.

This’ll ruin us both in every possible way, which is so unfair. All I’ve ever done is love him and our children with everything I have to give.

“Caro.”

His voice outside the door has me covering my mouth so he won’t hear my sobs.

“Please. I love you. I love our family. Please don’t make me go.”

“You need to leave, Ryder,” Maggie says. “Don’t make this any harder on her or your children than it already is.”

“I want to talk to my wife.”

“She asked you to go. That’s what you need to do.”

“I’m not going anywhere. This is my house.”

“Not anymore.”

Thank God for Maggie saying the things I can’t bear to.

“I want to hear that from her.”

“She’s already told you how she feels. Why would you want to make this worse for her than it has to be?”

“I want to see the kids.”

“It’s better if you don’t. Please go and let them try to put their lives back together.”

I hold my breath as I listen and weep silently. My heart is shattered. I’ve loved this man with my whole heart and soul, almost from the day we met.

A few minutes later, Maggie gives a light tap at the door. “He’s gone.”

I open the door and fall sobbing into my sister’s arms. “I don’t know if I’ll survive this.”

“You will. You have to. Your babies need you.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. I’ll be right there with you. I promise.”

“Mommy?”

I pull back from Maggie and make a fast attempt to pull myself together for my son’s sake. “Hey, honey.”

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m sad.”

“Where’s Daddy?”

“He had to go.”

“Where did he go?”

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