CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN – DROWNING IN EMOTIONS

The breaking point came unexpectedly, on what should have been a quiet Saturday afternoon. Deonna had been trying to work from home, spreadsheets spread across the dining room table, when Logan walked in. "Hey," he said, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm heading out to meet Ethan for a round of golf. You'll be okay, right?" Something inside Deonna snapped. "Okay? No, Logan, I'm not okay. I'm drowning here!" Logan stepped back, surprised by her outburst. "What are you talking about? I thought everything was fine." Deonna laughed, a bitter sound that surprised even her. "Fine? How can you think anything is fine? Your family is constantly judging me, the media won't leave us alone, your father is breathing down my neck about work, and you... you're just... here, but not really here." "That's not fair," Logan protested. "I'm trying, Deonna. I'm doing everything I can to support you." "Are you?" Deonna challenged, tears welling in her eyes. "Or are you just going through th