Seven Years, A Secret Family

son

sey Collier. Jemal' s mother. Colt' s... "well, you know." The wor

mask of concern. "Emerson! What

e body felt numb, yet every nerve ending was screaming. I s

e door shut. I leaned against the cold tiles, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I dug my

nk, trying to block out the image of Colt with that woman

oked

ed by the fire of betrayal. My empathy w

the hallway. "Emerson, are you okay

ater on my face, again and again, trying to wa

r. Not Bernice. A hesit

ce was tight, strained. "I heard... I hea

she known all along? How many people were in

my voice falsely calm. "Ju

m so sorry you had to find out this way." Her words were

new. And they let me live a lie for six years.

trick," I said, my voice shar

gh. "Of course, dear. We' ll be downsta

t worried about me. He was worried about

stened for a moment longer, then emer

at about?" s

to pack. Get out of here." M

ing them haphazardly into a duffel bag. My hands felt clumsy, detached from my bod

ox. My wedding ring. I had taken it off last night, a

n my palm. It used to symbolize eternal love, a

he ring. "Can you... take this? A

s widening. "Em! W

"And I' m not coming back until t

ring from my hand, her fingers brushing

of anything in my life," I r

. The world outside looked as bleak as my heart felt. I had always

ed a message from Colt, sent just moments ago. "Still thinking of

my lips. He was lying

he chaotic drum of my heart. I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my ches

' s smug face, Colt' s tender voice to his "sweet pea." It was all

vows, the promises. "Until death do us part." How

said Colt' s mother told him you were going to stay with me for a few days bef

longer. "Tell him I' ll call him tonight," I said, trying to keep my vo

face grim. She kne

My reflection stared back at me, a ghost of my former self. But in my ey

. I would make him re