Married To A Monster's Shadow

reedom felt cold, sharp, and terrifying. Hudson' s apartment, a sleek, modern space overlooking the city, was a welco

s voice gentle. He saw the bruise bloom

anniversary request to the secret studio, to the video, to Evan's aggression and Dahli

you." He was more than a friend; he was my anchor. He represented stability,

buzzed with notifications. Missed calls from Evan, dozens of texts. All ignored. The world was still reeling from my anonymous art for

st in his hands. "Morning, sunshine," he sai

decision unwavering

rce papers. And," he paused, his expression hardening, "I've included a section for ma

ver me. He deserved it. Every

from Dahlia. My blood ran cold imagining what her twisted mind

After everything? I typed a quick, dismissive reply: "There's not

astated. He's blaming you for everything. Y

g to turn Evan against me even more. "Things couldn't get

ing to destroy us both. Please, just call me." His messages were a mix of anger, confusion, and a stran

to breathe, to think, without thei

ral projects I' d long put aside, slowly piecing myself back together. The legal wheels were in motion. Evan' s lawy

anonymous message again. "Watch this. It's for

his "muse," his "one true love." And interspersed between these clips, brutally edited in, were the explicit photos of Dahlia from his secret project.

very loving memory. My heart twisted, a fresh wave of nausea washing over me. It was so vile, so disgusting. Only Dahlia

htening calm settled over me. This wasn't just about my broken heart anymo

was Evan. I pick

everywhere! What the hell is going on?"

usly soft. "Now that your precious public image is in tatte

n, a vengeful ex! This is destroying everything!" He was sputtering, barely coherent. "And Dahlia! S

dn't make that video, Evan. But I'm sure glad someon

monster!" he roared. "How could you do this

ce hardening. "A beautiful, exquisite lie that you

Not empty. But pregnant with consequence. I had taken a

a text from Hudson. "The video is out.

back. "And it's not me. But whoever it was

war had just begun, and for the first time in a long time,

Drafting the official divorce petition. I'm filing

dy doesn't even begin to cover it. I thou

l he wanted. It was too late for apologies, too late for explanat