Five Years, A Forged Vow

rey

alse humility. A tiny, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips.

ad because of me?" Her hand reached up, lightly touching his forehead, a g

as if remembering something, someone else. But then, it was gone. He seemed to have

mmer with unspoken history. "Never, Kristal," he said, his voice low and so

ose, a man who saw her as his entire world. Th

to dissolve. All I could hear was the frantic thump of my

voice sharper than I intended. It shatte

w filled with a flash of annoyance. He f

his tone dismissive, a barely concealed irritatio

this some twisted joke? He had set up this entire

e mood?" I repeated, my voice dangerously calm. "Brandon, wh

unwillingness. He didn't want to define me in front

barely above a whisper, meant only f

fused to let them fall. Not here. Not now.

time everyone knew. I am Audrey Maxwell. And I am Brandon Cervantes's wife.

days," I continued, my voice clear and steady, "

ith pity, others with open disdain, as if I had somehow violated an unspoken rule. Kris

didn't know... I'm just so clumsy." She started to back away, her s

e turned and bolted, disappe

lled with a familiar protectiveness, follo

his skin. "What about the awards ceremony? What ab

arm from my grasp, his eyes blazing. "She just got back to the

e," he snarled, "this is for you. Now everyone k

and ran after Kristal, disappearing into

. My mind registered the rough fabric, the unfamiliar weight. Then, a drop hit my cheek. T

k. The club was quickly emptying, people scrambling for their cars. I was alone. Utterly,

y way out. I looked around for a shuttle, for anyone, but the parking lot was almost deserted. The driver pulled up, an old beat-up sedan. The windows were tinted d