When The Devil Wants

nor's

e vase in my hand. My hands

gone home for tonight" I rubbed my fo

ack envelope in hand. Her eyes didn't meet mine. Mart

ds and took it from her. The leather f

on the porch and it's addressed t

. No seal. No return address. Just my name in t

see who l

. off." She paused. "For t

rises. This wasn't him. I tore open the l

y plu

r a date. Just a black card wi

efinitely not from Marc

said as I picked up my

Martha asked behind me. I stopped. Didn't

Deliberating whether to honor or ignore the invite. Th

e screen lit up wit

I'll be wa

ed. Wondering w

s trailed to a black dinner gown. Its dark look beckoning me. I took it out and sli

ftly. "Ma, the dr

in a minute," I said,

?" Her voice cracked, ju

the mirror. "It'

cret,

not Marcus's wife. I'm going t

l black clutch into my hand. "Then ta

in two years it was genuine. Then

t. And for the first time, I wasn't chasin

e was lit. People chattered and observe

gown slid against my skin like armor. My face carried a genu

e camera". Reporters flashed and

ght" someone shot from the crowd, I stiffened.

eadlines, not as his wife.

, shoulders squared. Co

cast a look at the alcohol calling out to me. Bu

ma'am". He handed me a key card. Roo

iled and took th

caressing my face, everywhere smelle

attention, I was alone. Just me and the woman I was becomin

miliar and impossible to

out, the name tasted

re?" he spat, the anno

s, I came for the dinner"

to stay home" his vo

ot back, anger slo

u dance with her in

icked. "T

isibly stiffened. Surprise flashing across his face. This was the

linking her arm to his like a habit. Like she owned him. Her silk dress drawing all the way down, her doe e

ite, she always had to be the brid

eyes trai

Alone" she said, the mockery evident in her

utch, waving it in their faces, pride stirring up

scowled, face de

just to spite me" he stepped closer, his words threatening. His c

hed. The sound

oo into the game" I threw his words back at him. He

cuse me, I have s

ss and made my

grabbed, I spun around almost immediately. Just then a ripping sound

ed" someone whisp