My Funeral, His Destruction Stage

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the burdens of his past, basking in the glow of a new, untainted happiness. It was a joy he would never

ealthier prospect. He' d been heartbroken then, a hollow shell. I, Adelle Moon, had been the one to pick up the pieces, to nurse his ego, to help him build the architectural empire that was now his pride and joy. I had

alue had diminished, he was ready to cash out. He had begged me to marry him, not out of love, but out of desperation. Desperation for a wife from a

rough the silent bedroom, pulling

voice was s

rter and my shattered pride evaporated. I scrambled off the

rs brushing her forehead. It burned. Hot, searing. My stomach

her stomach. "My tummy hu

t me. I fumbled for the thermometer on the bedside table. My hands trembled as I placed it

ad to get her t

ress and into comfortable clothes. Her small body felt limp in my

da were gone. No note, no explanation. Just a half-eaten soufflé on the kitchen counter, quickly cooling, a testament t

thought died on my lips. He wouldn' t care. Or rather, he would make it my problem,

iotics and advised bed rest. I held Daisy' s small, hot hand in mine, kissing her knuckles, wishing I could absorb

her had pushed aside my own crushing pain, but now, with her safe for the moment, the desolation returned. This apartment, once fil

constant threat of his casual cruelty. I had to leave. I had to take Daisy somewhere safe

calling him an opportunist. They had been right. But they were my family. My bloo

ess. Tomorrow, I would go to them. I would beg if I had to. And