Roadside assistance.
The tow truck pulled up and the driver jumped out. "You the ones who called?"
Les stood. He pointed at Lila. "She was bitten by a snake. She needs a hospital, now."
The driver looked at Lila's leg, then at me. "Cab only fits two. She can ride on the flatbed, but it's not safe."
Les didn't hesitate.
He pulled open the cab door and helped Lila up.
Then he turned back to me.
"Hope, just stay here. I'll take her to the hospital and send someone back for you."
"How long?" I asked.
"Soon."
Soon. Again.
He climbed in and shut the door without a second's pause.
I watched Les drive away with another woman and leave me behind.
And me? He left me here.
I stood at the rest stop, alone.
No car. No signal. No water. No food.
Les didn't look back.
He wasn't coming back. I knew that.
Not because he'd stopped caring. Because he assumed I'd wait for him.
The way I always had. Every single time he told me to wait, I waited.
I pulled my own bag out of the trunk and went through it.
Wallet. ID. One bank card. Enough.
I started walking along the highway.
I didn't know how far the nearest town was, or how long it would take to get there.
The blisters on my feet had burst a long time ago. Every step hurt. I didn't stop.
About an hour in, headlights lit up behind me.
"Hey, what are you doing out here alone?"
"Car broke down. Could you give me a ride? Just to the next town with a train station."
"Hop in."
When I reached the town, I bought the earliest ticket available.
Once I was on the bus, I borrowed a portable charger and turned my phone back on.
Dozens of messages flooded in.
Not one of them was from Les.
I called Attorney Fox directly.
"I need you to draft a divorce agreement."
"He leaves the marriage with nothing."
A pause on the other end. "Nothing? That's a tall order—unless there's serious fault on his side—"
"He cheated during the marriage. I have evidence. Also, that major client his company relies on? I'm the one who brought them in. The contract expires next month. I've already spoken with the other side. They won't be renewing."
"…Understood. I'll start drafting immediately."
I hung up and dialed my assistant.
"Rachel, book me a flight out of the country this afternoon. Anywhere. Just get me out."
"President Swanson, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said.
Two days passed before Les had his assistant reach out to me.