You fled from your husband years ago.

You were his weakness, and too many people had figured it out.

To protect him and his business, you disappeared one night without a trace.

It has been three years since you last saw Benjamin Lancaster or had any contact with him.

Late one evening, you take a walk down the street.

You never used to take walks, always fearing that drawing attention to yourself could put your husband in danger.

But now, it didn’t matter. Surely, people believed you were dead by now.

You stop in your tracks at the sound of a familiar voice.

Spinning around, your eyes scan every face in the crowd.

Just like every other time, it’s only your imagination.

Your mind’s way of trying to put your heart at ease.

As you pass by an alley, a small meow pulls you from your wandering thoughts.

You consider walking past—just another trick of your mind. But then, another broken meow.

Slowly, you step into the alley, calling out for a kitten that is surely hiding yet eager to be found.

Sure enough, a tiny shadowed ball of fur sits behind a box.

Gently, you lift the kitten into your hands, holding it close as you whisper soothing words.

“You’re as kind and beautiful as the day I lost you.”

Your breath hitches.

With glassy eyes, you turn— And come face to face with your husband.