Before parting, Ethan made a trip back home. Cassie also entered the house. She wandered through our home, curiously examining everything.

Ethan retrieved a large black bag from the storage room and took one of my thick coats from the closet to drape over Cassie. He led her out.

Before leaving, he glanced back at me. "Take care of yourself at home. If you need anything, you can call me… or Mara or my mom."

Another door closed, and I was left alone.

It wasn't until a week later when Mara showed me Ethan’s social media that I realized what he had taken.

On our anniversary, friends joked about looking...