you change the world by being yourself.

I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I know it's my fault, and you'd say the same. We broke even before your accident, but I was too scared - too much of a coward - to leave. You deserved better, despite the crap you put me through. I know you hate me; you have every right to, but not as much as I hate myself. The day we split, you told me this would happen, and I didn't believe you. No, it's not even that. I didn't want to believe you. You'd lied so much, played with my emotions, and pushed me until I gave in, and I wasn't going to be that person anymore, so I ignored it. I overlooked your warning and all the signs I saw along the way until it was too late.

My kids - your kids - deserved better than you. Better than what you couldn't give to them. They have that now, so you don't need to worry. I'm sorry I pushed you to the edge; however, I'm not sorry I left.

BOLD WHICH HABITS YOUR MUSE HAS

Dear Professor,

I've had some writer's block lately, so I figured this might help me free myself. I'm writing this to you, in particular, because amongst everyone in my life. You were the only one that doesn't believe in me. You didn't believe in my ability, my talent, my worth.

"You'll never amount to anything."

"I read that garbage. Your writing is subpar, at best."

"You don't even understand the basics! And you call yourself a writer?"

Those are things I'd hear from you regularly, and they honestly brought me down. You were someone I looked up to, admired—someone I idolized. But then you showed me your true colors. And just like that, my fantasy came tumbling down.

It took a while to get back to where I truly believed I could do something, to make something of myself and my work. Luckily for me, I had surrounded myself by wonderful, caring people that only ever wanted the very best for me. People that saw my strengths and, instead of pointing out my flaws, helped me build myself accordingly.

Thanks to you, I stopped idolizing false Gods and began cherishing those who mattered - those closest to me - and I've never been prouder than I am now. You mean nothing, and you will continue to mean nothing as long as I'm doing what I love, no thanks to you.

AURORA'S CELL PHONE: Oliver keeps his deceased ex-wife's cell phone in the drawer in his office, though no one knows it's there. When he retrieved her things from the police, after the accident, Olly was going through it and decided to keep it, if only for his children. They deserved to have something of hers that shows evidence of just how much she loved, and cherished, them.

RUBBER BAND BALL: If he's being completely honest, Oliver has no idea how this ball even wound up in his drawer. It literally appeared one day while he was gone. He has a sneaking suspicion it's the children, but that has yet to be confirmed. It also seems to be growing with every passing day.

POST IT NOTES: Oliver uses these for whenever inspiration strikes, so he keeps a pack or two as backups in his office in case he ever runs out and needs one in a hurry. He also carries them around with him, though no one knows about that, either.

GO FISH CARD GAME: The children love to play games. Often times, he's found they come to his room while he's "trying" to write and asks to play. Oliver keeps this spare in his drawer for when that moment happens. There are times when all six kids are in his office playing GO FISH with him.

PAPER CLIPS: He may or may not have an obsession with fancy paper clips. These, however, were given to him by his children after seeing his habit and quietly enabling him. Being a writer, Oliver keeps things like this close to him at all times.

Oliver loves working out. He loves to be adventurous and try new things. Hiking and rock climbing are two of his favorite outdoor sports. Every morning, after dropping off the kids, Olly heads out for his daily run; here is a playlist that helps keep him motivated.

Charlie Puth - Light Switch

Ed Sheeran - Shivers

Dua Lipa - Physical

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - Industry Baby

The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber - Stay

5 Seconds of Summer - Teeth

TXT - Magic

The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face

Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling

A look at the life of Oliver Brighton and his hectic fully detailed morning routine. Complete with Starbucks coffee order and Cracker Barrel breakfast favorite.

Oliver has many fears, just as any other human does. They influence his actions from day to day, even if he doesn't notice it. There are a few that's been around since childhood, as one would have guessed. Then there are those that have grown from experiences in his life. Traumatic things that have happened to him - that changed him as a person. However, he does not allow those fears to control his life. These are his 'Top 3'.

When Oliver caught his wife cheating, his first call was to his best friend Riley. She was there for him, just like every other moment in his life. When - not even three months later - his wife was involved in an accident that resulted in her death, Oliver's first call was once again Riley. She suggested he and the girls come live with her in Charlotte, NC while they adjusted to life without Aurora. Olly took her up on the offer; this is the home they share.