The Monster Behind His Mask

Santia

aw, unadulterated fury that

usually so calculating, were wild, filled with hatred. I stumbled, catching myself on the edge of the coff

you alright? Oh, God, your cheek." He cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs g

just trying to apologize, to make peace for your sake. And she attacked me. I don't know what I did wrong."

over her head. The look in his eyes was one I' d never

" he commanded, his voice

ize? For calling out her lies? For defending myself against h

k." He let go of Bridgett, stepping towards me. "What has gotten

ard, across the face. The sharp crack echoed in the stunned sil

atisfied? Will you stop this madness now? Please, darling, stop. I don't know what's going on with you, but I'll get you

can fix it. I'll send Bridgett away. I'll do anything. Just please, don't leave me. Don't throw away everything w

, irrevocably done." I looked at him, my gaze unwavering. "I don't love you. I hate you. I feel suff

Eleanor and Richard exchanged shocked glances. Their

of... vulgarity. Declan, you handle this. We will discuss this later." She shot me a look of pure loathing. "You will regret t

a," my mother whispered, her voice laced with despair. "You've gone too

uch a shame. Such a waste." They, too, left, their foots

ion. I just wanted freedom. Freedom from the lies, from the suffocating pret

inty, that this would be a wa

computer was a balm to my frayed nerves. I had spent the last few days, in the wake of discovering Bridgett's presence, secretly installing

ransitioned into security consulting. He was discreet, efficient, and owed me a favor. He had been

of bank transfers, and location data. The private investigator was thorough. My fingers flew ac

he laptop shut, my heart hammering against my ribs. D

ing?" he asked,

voice sharper than I intended. I tried

ld blueprints, the design sketches. He stopped by my drawing board, wher

ing to destroy me? Our life?" He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a familiar sorrow that us

They always were. He knew my deepest

th suppressed rage. "Because I can't give you a child? Tell me, De

o go faster, more daring, despite my pleas for caution. The sickening crunch of snow, the searing pain, the long, endless month

, usually buried deep beneath layers of charm

only shut, not locked, let out a s

and predatory, fixed on the screen. The sma

shoved him, but he was stronger, fueled by panic. His finge

just any sound, but his voice. L

She's just... not like you. You're so alive, so wild. She's broken, Bridgett. After th

. "And you still love her, Declan? Really?

u, love. Nothing. She just doesn't excite me anymore. She's a

Each syllable was a hammer blow to my heart, to my very being. He

ghost. The recording continued, his voice, so intimate, so loving, to another woma

trembling, but I was faster. I snatched i

? Not the woman you fell in love with?" I looked at him, truly looked at him, and saw the monster