The Day My Love Shattered

reetlights cast long, distorted shadows, making the familiar surroundings feel alien and menacing. I pulled my phone from m

e my flight took off from Reykjavik. 'Landing 10:30

mails were full. Then I tried Kandice' s number, just to be sure. It also went s

egan to seep through my light jacket, and a shiver ran down my spine

te night. The driver, a hulking man with a thick neck and eyes that seemed to mis

ake its toll. My head ached, a dull throb behind my eyes. I leaned against the window, trying to

gainst my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. We were no longer on the main highway. The taxi had turned on

ed, my voice barely a whisper

irror, his lips twisting into something th

alm. My thumb flew to Keith' s contact, the emergency speed dial I had set

aughter, and the distinct clinking of glasses

whispered, my

a woman slurred. It was Kand

kground, a man' s voice. "Keith, tell them about the residency! Dr

by the phone, was sickeningly fond. "Just a little prof

my skin crawl. "Keith, tell them what you promised

h clench. "Except a vacation to the Maldives. We' re working too hard

t, squealed. "Away from all the stress! Sounds like f

y favorite team,

favorite protégé?" T

"Julia, I hope you' re not listening to all

e knew I was on the l

yrupy sweet, "I gotta go. Dr. Blackburn i

dead. Kandic

nst my mouth, trying to stifle the sound of my rising g

ew mirror. His face was obscured by the dim

d, his voice rough. "Or maybe

I said, my voice shaking slightly. "Just take me ho

he interrupted, his eyes still fixed on

e wasn' t taking me home. He was ta

sked, my voice su

are. I didn't argue. I just pulled out my wallet, my

nt streetlamp. My hand didn' t hesitate. I threw the money at him, opened the door, and scrambled out. I

ad started, a cold, biting spray that soaked my clothes instantly. I didn' t know where I was going,

moment, two crimson eyes watching me from the darkne

sting of the cold water doing little to numb the ache in my heart. Tear

ed. A new messa

n Keith' s lap. His arm was around her waist, his head thrown back in laughter. In

lous, aren't they? Don't worry, Dr. Black

. "Sorry, sweetheart. Car trouble. Had to drop Kandice o

side, the glaring contradiction burni

echoed loud and clear in the hollow chambers of my heart. The coldness inside me was deeper th