After I came home early and found my husband in ou…

It was my sanctuary, the place where I felt safest in the world. The neighbors were like family, especially Caroline Collins, who lived directly across the street with her husband Lincoln and their two small children. Caroline and I had become very close since they moved in three years ago.

We drank coffee together on Sundays and borrowed ingredients from each other while cooking dinner. I watered her flowers when they went on vacation. I trusted her completely.

I trusted Jackson completely. I trusted my life completely. That blind trust would turn out to be my greatest mistake and, paradoxically, my greatest gift.

That morning, there was something different in the air, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it was. Jackson seemed more nervous than usual during breakfast. He was constantly checking his phone, and when I asked him if everything was okay, he just gave me evasive answers.