My Peace Beyond His Regret

ribs, a desperate, frantic drumbeat. I saw the glint of tears in his eyes then, real tears

ice thick with unshed tears. "Please

fluence, how alone I felt, how his constant disregard chipped away at my self-worth. I' d poured ou

choked out, tears streaming down my face

I' d fallen in love with-the one who was tender, understanding, who would hold me and promise to make everything o

is phon

accompanied by a frantic message. Dude, they' re about to hit the Strip!

aced by an old, familiar resentment. He looked at me, then

, distant. "You' re being unreasonable, Cecil. D

ned th

forward, trying to block his path. "Don'

ren' t you? You always say that. And you always take me back. You' ll cool off.

kening thud, vibrating through the entire apartment

epared for his return now cold and mocking. Two plates, still steaming

hugging beers, gambling, laughing with a group of scantily clad women. Branden' s captions were mocking, almost gloat

n to the bathroom, vomiting until my stomach was empty and burning. The tears came t

ollably. Acute anxiety attack, the doctors said. Brought on by extreme stress. They gave me seda

ooking vibrant and carefree, living his best life, completely oblivious to the fact that I was hooked up to an

ing with a woman at a pool party): Damien's

mbasting Damien's 'controlling girlfriend.' And then, the final twist of the knife: one