One Night With My Unknown Mr. Hockey

oe

was too high, adorned with elaborate moldings bathed in m

eaped into

t my skull. What I saw was the broad, muscular back of a man who occupied the other half of th

was

my firs

s sc

as my

who had signed his name on a contract two years ago but had never on

came with a five million dollar settlement. My escape plan. My ticket out of my

ity clause. If I was found "unfaithful" before t

would do

k. Laughter, loud music, and a cocktail that tasted wrong. Sweet at first, t

been d

ke a physical blow, steal

t. I had to get out.

My dress lay crumpled on the floor, the seam at the shoulder ripped. A fresh wave of shame a

e heavy curtains. It illuminated the sharp line of his jaw, as well as the

merald watch adorned his wrist, and a platinum ring circled his finger. This

ard it, each step feeling like an eternity. My hand c

d against something. A metallic cli

A low grumble rumbled from

Every muscle in my body screamed at m

n eternity before his br

trembling, I fled the room, not stopping until

gave out. I collapsed to the floor, g

o to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, the water scalding. It wasn't enough. I scrubbed at my s

old tiles, letting exha

missed calls and messages from my friend

ut a message to Sarah, the on

in that

in control. I started to bake. The familiar, comforting scents of flour and butter calmed my frayed nerves. I needed my

hter. The city was waking up, bu

ain. This time, it

three

, I'm

l that flooded through me was colder and shar

ectly baked cupcakes I had made through the night.

ked o

sickly sweet frosting oozed through my fingers, stic

his. I had to find out wh

y never found out. Especially not him. The husband I had

girl in the mirror was exhausted, with hollow eyes, but there was a

e doorb

rough the morning quiet. I fro

be here at