Bonus chapter 2

The weeks following Olivia’s first day of school felt like a new chapter, not only in her life but in Erica and Julian’s as well. Their routines changed subtly; mornings were now filled with the hustle of preparing Olivia for school, and the evenings were quieter, spent unwinding as a family. But in between these moments, Erica and Julian had found a new rhythm—a way to focus on each other and reclaim parts of themselves that had been buried under the demands of work and family.

One Thursday, Erica decided to surprise Julian with a weekend getaway. It had been a long time since they’d taken a break from everything, and she knew they both needed it. She had everything planned, from arranging Olivia’s stay with her grandparents to booking a secluded cabin by the lake. As she placed the envelope with the details on Julian’s desk, she watched the spark of excitement in his eyes.

“A weekend away, just us?” he asked, his tone laced with both surprise and eagerness.

She nodded, her eyes shin