Mark never imagined his marriage to Jess could fall apart. They had been together for seven years—seven years of good times, struggles, and growth. Sure, no relationship is perfect, but they’d weathered storms and come out stronger. Or so Mark thought. That all changed one Saturday. It started like any other. Mark was at the pawn shop to pick up his grandfather’s watch, a treasured heirloom that needed some fixing. Jess was supposed to be out running errands, or at least that’s what she’d said. Mark figured he’d stop by

The quiet that fills a room when a baby sleeps is unlike anything else. I was sitting on the sofa, cradling my coffee cup, while Bear, our big Newfoundland, lay stretched out on the rug beside the bassinet. Bear had been my constant companion for five years, ever since my husband, Tom, surprised me with him for our anniversary. Now, he had become a protector for our newborn, Sophie. Sophie stirred in her crib, tiny fist punching the air as she shifted in her sleep. I set my coffee down