It had been two years since Victor’s world came crashing down and a year since the divorce papers were signed, finally ending what he had once thought was a happy marriage. The scars left behind were still tender. Many nights, he lay awake, haunted by memories of a life he’d thought was real, only to find it had been built on lies after finding out his wife had been cheating for 7 out of 13 years. With his best friend. Isolation had settled over him like a cold fog, and with it came darker thoughts he couldn’t ignore any longer. He knew he had to change something, anything.

That’s how he’d ended up at the book club four months ago. At first, the idea seemed ridiculous—Victor Delaney, a 48 year old man clinging to the frayed ends of his dignity, sitting among strangers discussing novels. But it had turned out to be one of the better decisions he’d made.

Today, he walked into the community center, the familiar hum of conversation greeting him. The club was discussing a new bestseller, and the mix of voices—some critical, some enthusiastic—felt like a balm to his lonely soul. He spotted Eleanor waving him over to the small circle she and Jacob had claimed.

“Vic!” Eleanor, the grandma of the group, greeted warmly. “Grab a seat! We were just about to tear into the protagonist’s decision-making skills.”

Victor chuckled softly, easing into the chair. The once-foreign sensation of camaraderie washed over him as he looked around the group. For the first time in a long time, he felt like maybe—just maybe—he could start rebuilding a life worth living.