The Price Of His Choice

e that followed was deafening, but it was a welcome quiet, a space where I could finally breathe without the

– a discreet but formidable divorce attorney she knew. This wasn't some impulsive outburst; this was a decision forg

with relief when she heard mine. "Jalynn, sw

, the lie tasting like sawd

y poor girl," she whispered. "My son is a fool. A damn fo

r, the words genuinely meant. She had bee

harp with self-reproach. "But you... you were the best thing that ever hap

t no longer existed. My fingers instinctively went to the faint scar on my wrist, a

back, sharp and vivid, a stark contrast t

as broken, physically and emotionally. The doctors had saved his leg, but the light in his eyes had d

everyone away. But I saw past the anger, to the raw pain beneath. Day after day, I sat with him, tal

y, his voice hoarse, his eyes burning with

ife isn't over, Elliott. Your old life is. And maybe that's a good thin

And slowly, painstakingly, a flicker of

all victory. My arms, strong and steady, supported his trembling body as he relearned to walk. My laug

strong and almost whole again, pulling me close. "You brought me

his betrayal. He had forgotten. He had let me go. Or

My heart leaped, a flicker of hope that it might be Core

a priceless heirloom. It was lying on a cracked tile floor, shattered, its delicate silver

ave it to his real son. He said it was just ju

bled, not from fear, but from a volcanic fury. This wasn't just about Elliott.

g. I ignored the nurses who rushed in, their voices frantic

gnoring the protests, and stormed down the hall. I knew exactly where she was. El

painting her nails. A faint, sickly sweet scent of nail polish filled the air. She l

across her face. "Well, well, well," she purred, dropping her nail file.

dangerous. "You broke my father's locket. Y

nt you to have it anymore. Said it reminded him of his mistake." She paused, her smile twisting. "And speaking of mis

aw. My vision went red. I lunged at her, my hands finding purchase on

oice raw with grief and rage. "You don't know anything abou

He's in my bed every night. He calls my name. He says he loves me." She leaned in, her voice dropping to

image of Elliott with her, the intimacy she descri

ou think he loves you? He bought me this whole suite. He's paying for everything.

gnity, frayed and broke. I slapped her. Hard. The sound echoed through

voice trembling with disgust. "And I'

tching her cheek. "Elliott!

with horror as he took in the scene: me, standing over

directed at me. He grabbed my arm, his grip bruising, and pulled me away

to Elliott. "She attacked me, Elliott! S

r. I stared at Elliott, his face contorted with

voice barely a whisper, my heart cru

out of control! You're violent! What kind of examp

ical laugh escaping me. "You jeopardized everything, Ellio

towards the door. "Get out of her

eld me. My eyes met his one last time. There wa

I hope you enjoy your new family. Becau