Pancakes for a Stranger's Love

Marsh

Iris," he'd said, his eyes earnest, his hand warm in mine. "My startup needs your full support. Think of i

o supporting his dreams. I became the perfect wife, the silent strength behind his ambition. Now, that investment felt like

hair from my face. "You'll never have to worr

." And now, that trust was shattered, that investment worthless. My lack of an independent career, once a proud sacrifice

my phone, my fingers fumbling as I dialed his nu

ris? What is it? I'm busy." His voice was

amond necklaces for your new girlfriend? The one I wanted

other end. "Cassidy, I assume? God, tha

cracked, rising in volume. "She's my best

f molehills?" He scoffed. "And what does it matter what I buy? It's my

physical blow. My head throbbed, a dull ache intensifying into a sharp, p

eams? The house we were going to buy? The family we were going to start?"

flat. "People change. I'm not the same man I was five yea

the man who promised to never let me go? Th

e deserved more than a perpetually tired, uninspired wife wh

"I gave up everything for you! For us! And you throw it i

. "And you know what, Iris? I'm tired of your hysterics. I'm tired of yo

the air, a poison

with contempt. "What exactly do you bring to the table now? Nothing.

hed. "How can

so intent on being dramatic, let's just

word echoed in the sudden silence of the room. It had never even been a possib

st leaving me; he was cutting me off. The house, the joint accounts, eve

my lungs burning. My head exploded in a fresh wave of blinding pain, so intense it

was something deeper, something terrifying. I needed real help, and I needed it now. I stumbled ou