~ PROLOGUE ~
 
 
Nikole pulled her auburn hair back in a loose bun and stood looking at herself in the mirror. Gently, she applied cover-up to the bruise on her left cheekbone. She was working hard to restrain the tears that threatened to fall as she listened to her boyfriend, Garrett, swearing in the next room. She took in a deep, calming breath. 
Out of the corner of her eye, Nikole saw her phone screen vibrate to life. Out of necessity, she made sure that her ringer was always on silent for any notification - or these wouldn't be the only bruises needing to be covered. Quickly, she picked up her phone and checked to see who was calling. It was her sister. It had been two years since they had seen each other, over six months since their last conversation.  Nikole couldn't believe it had been two years since she walked away from Haven Falls, her family, and God.
She couldn't risk answering it, so she let it go. A few moments later, a text came through.
CALL ME! MOM'S CANCER IS BACK.