I closed the door and listened to her sob on my porch for twenty minutes before she finally left.

That was eight months ago. I heard through Emma that Sarah eventually moved back in with her parents in another state. She works at a grocery store now, makes $12 an hour. Jake never contacted her after he ran. Turns out when you’re willing to betray your own family, you’re probably willing to abandon your affair partner, too.

I kept the house, kept my job, and started dating again, though I’m careful now. Very careful. Trust isn’t something I hand out anymore.