C H A P T E R 2

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I wish I could say walking in on my father made me a stronger person

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I wish I could say walking in on my father made me a stronger person. But it didn't. All my life, when I've run into a problem I dug my heels in and powered through it. Always moving forward, never back.

That is what he taught us after all.

But after that day, it's like my life has flipped on itself. I've put everything on pause. My last semester at medical school, my internship at the hospital, even my six-year relationship with Jeremy.

I need to getaway. I need to breathe. I need this five-ton weight on my shoulders to lessen before I'm completely suffocated.

I know I'm selfish for leaving mom during this time. I know I should be home with her. But the thought of entering that house again, surrounded by all the family photos and warm memories of our so-called 'happy' life, I just can't do it. I can't put on a fake smile for mom, no matter how badly she needs it right now.

What I need is the familiar smell of rain on the old pavement of Notting Hill mixing with the scent of pine. And the sights and sounds of purring engines mixing with the chirps of bluebirds at Ladbroke Square Garden.

England has always been more of a home to be compared to New York. The majority of my happiest memories took place there.

My family visits twice a year. From July to September and then for two weeks in December for the Christmas holiday. We stay at my mother's best friend's, Jane Thomas, house in Notting Hill in the summer and the Thomas's family manor in Cornwall for Christmas.

I was confused about every aspect of my life, so I needed this. I needed to be grounded.

When the plane's wheels meet the tarmac at Heathrow airport I feel the weight on my shoulders lift a hair and I'm able to take the first full breath since last week when my world came tumbling down.

Home.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut UP!" Maggie throws her arms around me squeezing me so tight it cuts off the air supply to my brain

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"Shut up! Shut up! Shut UP!" Maggie throws her arms around me squeezing me so tight it cuts off the air supply to my brain. The suitcase in each hand falls with a clunk to the sidewalk.

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