Chapter 4

As the ship rocked under the massive waves, I watched the sea and laughed.

My father and I were both thrill-seekers.

We had plans to challenge the most exciting adventures around the world, not end up trapped in a box buried beneath a headstone.

That’s why I brought his ashes with me on this trip.

When the sea was calm, I scattered his ashes into the water.

“Dad, this is the ocean you’ve always dreamed of,” I whispered to myself.

That night, just as I was falling asleep, my phone rang.

It was Elijah’s voice on the other end. “There’s a party tomorrow with Mr. Williams. He’s asking about the wine from last year. What was it again?”

Mr. Williams was one of Elijah’s key business partners. Every year, I agonized over what gift to bring to his birthday party.

The wine he was talking about was one I’d spent months searching for—a rare bottle from a renowned winemaker.

Being woken up at night was frustrating enough, but the way Elijah ordered me around as if we were still married was infuriating. I snapped, “We’re divorced. Stop acting like a man-child.”

“And maybe think before you call someone in the middle of the night. Don’t be a rude man-child.”

With that, I hung up and turned off my phone.

The next day, I planned to take pictures of the stunning glaciers. When I turned my phone on, I saw a dozen missed calls from Elijah.

More than he’d called me in an entire year.

Usually, I was the one asking when he’d be home or when Gavin’s school events were, since both parents needed to attend.

Elijah’s responses were always the same: “Hmm,” followed by a date and time for the next social event I was expected to prepare for.

I put on the perfect dress, held Elijah’s arm, and played the role of the perfect Mrs. Monroe.

This time, I blocked his number and focused on the beauty of the glaciers.

That night, just before falling asleep, a strange number called me.

A woman’s voice asked, “Are you Gavin Monroe’s mother?”

“No. I don’t have any children. I’m single now. If you need something, contact his father.”

“You’re lying.”

It was Gavin’s voice, filled with disbelief.

“I don’t think I am. You don’t like me, and I don’t like you anymore either. You can pretend I’m not your mother, and I’ll do the same. Don’t call this number again. Consider me a stranger.”