“I lost everything,” she whispered. “My job. My family won’t talk to me. I can’t get hired anywhere because everyone’s seen that video. I’m staying in a motel, and I can’t afford next week’s rent.”

I looked at her. Really looked. This woman had been my everything—my future, my partner, my best friend. And she’d thrown it all away for my worthless brother, who disappeared the second things got complicated.

“You made your choice,” I said.

“It was six weeks of stupidity! Six weeks that destroyed twelve years!”

“No,” I said quietly. “You destroyed twelve years in six weeks.”

Her face crumpled. “I know. I know I did this, but please, I’m begging you. Just help me get back on my feet. I’ll do anything to make this right.”

I stepped back and started to close the door.

“Mark, wait! I still love you. I know I don’t deserve it, but I still—”

“The woman I loved would never have done what you did,” I said. “She died the day I walked into my bedroom and saw you with Jake.”