Prologue

Oxford, England

"Consider this your notice then, Felicity."

I can't do this. I can't even process the words as Elliott says, well, barks at me.

We're moving? To Seattle.

I shake my head and grip the kitchen counter hard, trying to steady myself, or maybe trying not to blow a gasket at my husband.

He went right ahead and signed the contract without a second thought for me, my job, or the life we've built here. Not to mention our two teenage children, Darcy and Jack. Sixteen years of this, the Elliott Show.

"I can't believe you didn't discuss it with me first. Two years. You expect us to just uproot our lives for that long? What about my job and Darcy and Jack's schooling?" A cold shiver trickles down my spine. Darcy's long-term boyfriend and childhood sweetheart, Liam, is here. At fifteen, it will feel like her world is imploding. I shake my head and take another sip of wine. "You can break it to Darcy."

Elliott waves a dismissive hand in the air. "It's young love; it"s trivial and will never last anyway. This is an opportunity for her to see the world."

I quirk a brow in surprise at his admission. "We were young when we met. We didn't think it was trivial then, and I doubt she does now." My heart breaks for her—Liam isn't only her boyfriend but her best friend too. She has a close relationship with her dad, but this is likely to put a significant strain on that.

Jack, I'm less worried about. He's a keen ice hockey player and plays for the Oxford Giants. At sixteen and very outgoing, he'll likely see this as an opportunity to play in America and maybe one day live out his dream in the big leagues. He's talented, but ice hockey isn't big in the UK. That said, we will be moving during his finals at secondary school, and he's always struggled academically, so this could set him back permanently.

"What about my job? I was on for a promotion. I have dreams too."

Elliott scoffs and rises from the dining stool where he's casually sat for most of the evening, his leg crossed over the other at the knee, like this conversation isn't totally life-changing and gut-wrenching for most of his family. Stepping toward me, he places his palm over the top of my hand, but I snatch it out from underneath; I can barely look at him, let alone touch him. And that feeling isn't just isolated to tonight and this news. Our marriage has been failing for years, and as I look up into his cold blue eyes, I see very little affection there. I wonder if he sees the same when he looks at me.

"You earn ￡27,000 a year Felicity. I earn over eight times your salary. You don't need to keep pushing this ‘dream career' of yours in law." In a condescending tone, he repeats the words I've said to him more times than I can count. "I can take care of all of us. It's a two-year contract to help establish and oversee the US equity fund and if it works out, the bonus on offer has the potential to change our lives."

Frustration emanates from me in waves. He never listens. Throwing my hands up in the air, my voice several octaves higher than before, I say, "Change our lives? Elliott, we have enough money! Look around, we have everything we need. I'm not interested in wealth or social status. I want to be happy; I want our children to be happy. I want to feel like a part of this marriage." I sound angry but really, I'm desperate, trapped in an unhappy cycle of yielding to what my husband wants.

I draw in a steady breath and try to hold back the tears I'm not prepared for him to see, but my eyes are glassy. Swallowing past the lump forming in my throat, I try once more for him to see reason. "This isn't what I want."

He shrugs an unaffected shoulder. "Yeah, well when you're the main breadwinner in the house, when you pay the bills and provide solely for a household, you kind of get to call the shots."

I don't say a word. What's the point anymore?

Elliott furrows his brows at me. "You know, I'm kind of disappointed in you Felicity. I thought as my wife you'd be celebrating with me tonight. Instead, all I see are tears when I should be the one upset by your behavior."

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at his parting comment. It was only a matter of time before the gaslighting began.