Started again.

Grace, you need to come to Madison’s wedding. I want you to see how well I’m doing without you.

He read it twice, a quiet satisfaction settling in his chest.

Then added one more line:

Bring the boys. It’ll be good for them to see what success looks like.

Perfect.

Sharp. Intentional. Meant to sting.

He pressed send.

The message disappeared into a small blue bubble—and Ryan smiled.

In that moment, he believed he had set everything in motion.

He believed Grace would come.

Because hurt people are curious.

And pride is easier to provoke than silence.

He believed she would step directly into the role he had written for her—the defeated ex-wife, the contrast that would make him look stronger.

What Ryan Mercer didn’t understand…