My fingers went cold.
Vanessa.
I knew that name.
Vanessa was Tyler’s former flight attendant colleague. She had left the airline nearly a year ago, supposedly to take care of her sick mother. I had met her twice at company gatherings. She was beautiful, charming, and the kind of woman who made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room.
Tyler had told me they barely spoke anymore.
Apparently, he had been lying.
“There were times when I thought I had everything figured out,” Tyler continued. “A good career, a beautiful home, a family. But sometimes, life brings someone into your world who changes everything.”
Mason squeezed my hand.
“Mom, who’s Vanessa?”
I swallowed hard.
“I’m not sure, sweetheart.”
It was the first lie I had ever told my son that I desperately wished were true.
A few passengers began applauding. Someone near the front let out an excited laugh, as though they were witnessing a romantic proposal.
