Portia Moore

Cal's back, and his arrival changes everything. Lauren knew it was coming, but what she didn't think he'd bring with him was an ultimatum. A choice. One that Lauren feels trapped under....

Lauren Brooks fell in love with Cal Scott at 21, married him at 22, and had her heart broken at 23 when he walked out of their marriage. At 25, while raising their daughter on her own, Lauren is finally moving on with her life...until she learns the reason for Cal's abandonment....

When you're heartbroken, it lies beneath everything that you do. It's in all of who you are. Foreshadows who you'll be. It hides underneath your smile, rests between your laugh, revels in your tears and taunts your every thought. You wish it away but are too terrified to let it go....

Lauren Brooks wants to do three things: Escape the small town she grew up in, get accepted to her dream school in Chicago, and graduate without drowning in debt....