Cade Rivers married Sage Holloway when they were both twenty-two and broke. She was pregnant, scared, and he thought he was doing the right thing. Seven years later, he's still acting like marriage is a burden he's carrying.Sage works double shifts at a grocery store while Cade plays video games and complains about being "trapped." She handles school pickup, doctor visits, and bedtime stories for their six-year-old daughter Lily while he goes out with friends who treat their wives the same way.
Every month, Sage asks if they can talk about their problems. Every month, Cade says "later" and turns up the TV volume. She's drowning in responsibilities while he acts like being a husband and father is optional.
The final straw comes when Lily asks why Daddy never comes to her school events. Sage realizes she's been a single mother in a marriage, making excuses for a man who doesn't even try.
She doesn't leave dramatically. She just stops trying. Stops cooking his favorite meals. Stops doing his laundry. Stops pretending everything's fine when people ask.
Cade doesn't notice until the divorce papers arrive.
Suddenly he's facing every-other-weekend custody, child support payments, and an empty apartment. His friends aren't calling as much. His mom won't speak to him. Even his coworkers look at him differently.
Meanwhile, Sage enrolls in community college. Gets a better job. Starts smiling again. Lily thrives with her mom's newfound confidence.
Cade wants his family back, but Sage has already grieved their marriage. She's not angry anymore—she's just done. And that terrifies him more than any fight ever could.
Perfect for readers who've ever felt invisible in their own lives, this emotional journey explores what happens when someone finally chooses themselves''and the devastating wake-up call it creates for those left behind.
Genre: Romance
Every month, Sage asks if they can talk about their problems. Every month, Cade says "later" and turns up the TV volume. She's drowning in responsibilities while he acts like being a husband and father is optional.
The final straw comes when Lily asks why Daddy never comes to her school events. Sage realizes she's been a single mother in a marriage, making excuses for a man who doesn't even try.
She doesn't leave dramatically. She just stops trying. Stops cooking his favorite meals. Stops doing his laundry. Stops pretending everything's fine when people ask.
Cade doesn't notice until the divorce papers arrive.
Suddenly he's facing every-other-weekend custody, child support payments, and an empty apartment. His friends aren't calling as much. His mom won't speak to him. Even his coworkers look at him differently.
Meanwhile, Sage enrolls in community college. Gets a better job. Starts smiling again. Lily thrives with her mom's newfound confidence.
Cade wants his family back, but Sage has already grieved their marriage. She's not angry anymore—she's just done. And that terrifies him more than any fight ever could.
Perfect for readers who've ever felt invisible in their own lives, this emotional journey explores what happens when someone finally chooses themselves''and the devastating wake-up call it creates for those left behind.
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Elina Avada's Marrying Her Was Easy Losing Her Was Hell