Harriet Dallas has spent twenty-five years with a man who thinks he can control her. What she doesn’t know is that for thirty, another man has been waiting for her to finally leave him.

For half her life, Harriet has managed her husband’s moods and kept their home running, even as Buck replaced affection with cold indifference. She stayed for their twin daughters and the steady friendship of Kwemby—the man she almost loved three decades ago.

A weekend road trip was supposed to be a chance to reconnect. Instead, it’s the ultimate betrayal. Waking up alone in a cold car while her family leaves her behind to go inside is only the beginning. Between a “forgotten” allergy and a public humiliation about her weight, Harriet realizes she isn’t a wife to Buck—she’s a nuisance.

The final straw is when Harriet overhears Buck brag about tampering with her water just to “get her to shut up” and fall asleep. Now, she’s ready to divorce her zero of a husband and turn to the man who never stopped pining for her. Buck thinks he can grovel his way back into her life, but he’s thirty years too late.

Featured Tropes:

• Later in Life

• Marriage in Crisis

• Betrayal & Too Late Grovel

• Overheard

• New Hero

Content considerations:

This story contains the breach of physical trust and the unauthorized use of medication mentioned in the blurb. If themes of toxicity and the loss of autonomy are difficult for you, please take care of yourself and consider skipping this book.