The Pink Car of Betrayal

en Riv

wness of my life. I went to my study, pulled open a drawer, and took out my birth certificate, m

in my hand. One by one, I watched the flames consume my identity. The

y lips. A sense of lightness, of

building our first startup in a cramped garage. He'd promised me the world, and I believed him.

etched once so deeply in my heart, now felt li

k, was the vintage platinum locket Donovan had given me on our wedding day. An antique h

arnest, "is resilient. It's meant to bind us,

floor. I grabbed a heavy brass paperweight from the nightstand and brought it down. Smash. The delicate hinge snapped

sorrow, but from a cold, q

onument to a shattered lie. I placed them gently into a sm

aby? I'm home!" Donovan's voice, annoying

et of my favorite lilies in the other. He smiled, that public, performat

neck. I instinctively stiffened, turning my head slightly away. The scent of

emembered. He always remembered the small things I liked. It just di

s late, but the launch ran over. And then traffic on the freeway wa

cating. "No, I'm not mad," I murmured. It was t

t a small, velvet box. Inside, a shiny, heart-shaped car key. "And this, my love, is f

ss, the overflowing orders, the skyrocketing stock. His eyes

love, but of treachery. "Donovan," I interrup

me closer, burying his face in my hair. "Of cour

had once been music to my ears.

ly away, "that if you ever betrayed me, I

e. Not a flicker of guilt. "And

name glowed on the screen. He snatched the phone

int smile playing on

, relaxed. He answered, then walked out of th

s from Keri's end carried clearly through the thin walls. "

serene. I walked into the kitchen, the

ing pleased with himself. "Everything alright, h

s go celebrate your birthday. I book