The Unfortunate Card of Lies

inside me. A black SUV pulled up, and Adonis jumped out, a wide grin on his face. He rushed

laced with the familiar tenderness that once

of expensive flowers, hear the soft strains of a string quartet. The air wa

is breath tickling my

' d first confessed his love to me in high school. Balloons in red and gold floated a

ell with joy. It ached with a profound, desolate sadness for the pu

chair. "I wanted to make this night unforgettable.

A fresh start? You have no idea

dd angles. The banner was crooked, the letters slightly askew. The whole setup screamed a

oked banner, and his smile faltered. His eyes narrowed. "What is this?" he muttered,

ed over, wringing his hands. "Mr. Livingst

"This is an insult! I specifically instructed you on the exact layout, the

nstructions to your assistant, Ariel. She

cold. Ariel

ack to me with a forced smile. "I'm so sorry, Ivory, my love. It seems Ariel can't even get simple instructions

ry at Ariel. He was angry that his careless facade had been exposed

ter." I sat down, my movements deliberate, as if a single wrong st

hy I love you, Ivory. Always so understanding." He pulled ou

ound, creamy white cake. My stomach lurche

eyes sparkling. "I remembered how mu

I was six years old, after a trip to the ER. He knew this. He had been there. He had held my han

oice barely a whisper. "You k

d personally offended him. "Allergic?" he repeated slowly, disbelief warring with a

watched him go, a profound sense of emptiness settling over me. The old Adonis, the one who knew every detail abou

his charade had gone on long enough. I followed him, drawn by a morbid