My Cruel Choice, His Silent Death

James

t of fresh bread and simmering reductions wrapping around me lik

shed instructions. I walked through, greeting my team, a genuine

il

d the power to make my stomach clench. But it was no longer

vulnerability beneath her ruthless exterior, the little girl who craved lov

o

green, commanding the room with a single glance. Everyone around her seemed to shrink, but I was

r college sweetheart. Her eyes, usually so sharp and calculating, would sof

her to pick up the pieces. And each time, I was there, a silent shadow, offering comfort, a shoulder to cry on

n his usual dramatic fashion, called off their engagement for the third time. Emily was s

favors, anything to get a seat at one of those dreadful dinners. I even bought a suit, o

e

t because she loved me, but because I was "safe." I was a pale imita

gushing wound. But I loved her so much, I accepted. I believed

did

resources for my culinary dreams, a golden retriever named Buddy. But she never gave me her heart.

, lost in some memory of him. Sometimes, when she was stressed, or after a long day, she would l

ive years, I lived in that purgatory of u

ryant c

ignore. Emily had been distant, preoccupied with a new business deal. I was preparing dinner, a

rang. It was

igerent. We argued, a low, simmering tension that had been building for years. He lunged at me, a clu

, Emily w

only him. Her toxic loyalty, a diseas

" she demanded, her voice shar

searing fire. I doubled over,

not well," I gasped,

ze was fixed on Bryant, who was no

snapped, her voice dripping with dis

o her, grinning triumphantly at me. It was too much. The pain, the betraya

pressing into my cheek. My vision blurred. I fumbled for my phone

ped over her, rushing him to some private clinic. She left

ent my love for her died. It didn't fade, it di

ed. A silent killer that had been eating away at me for years, just as her neglect had. Emil

she whispered, her h

touch felt for

. I panicked. I didn't know," she s

aid, my voice hoarse, devoid of

know how serious it was! I'll make it

ong since died. I looked at her, truly looked at her, and saw

decision that would change the course of my life. I started researching job offers,

want to fight, didn't want drama. I just wanted out. Out of her life,

fe we had built. It was all tainted anywa

loved with every fiber of my being. She was a stranger now. A beautiful, po

voice flat, emotionless. "There's nothing le