Bound To Be; the marriage bargain

pte

e a filthy linen, her round eyes staring deeply into mine. We both worked on certain events and with the same clients a couple

hands in his. " I'm really sorry Cal, I -I

p and hollow. "Find out? You didn't mean for me to find out?" My voice rose, trembling wit

g that Louis placed on my finger about a

sp and approached me. I stepped

ce colder than the winter a

t until I couldn't breathe. The space that once shared our dream – the bedside table with the p

whisper. The words hung in the air, heavy and devastating. " I c

t even for a million dollars. I clenched my fists, tryi

pale, but I didn't w

more" I gestured, removing the engagement ring fr

rd, his arms outstretch

aking with rage. "Get out," I spat

***

uated only by the occasional drip of the leaky kitchen faucet. I couldn't believe he'd left. With Sally. The woman with perfect auburn

rough the curtains felt intrusive, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. I wanted to curl up an

s Abi

ment before answerin

l," her voice came through, warm and fa

ouis left," I said flatly,

and then a soft sig

her blonde curls bouncing as she rushed inside, her brown eyes full of concern. She was wearing her usual mix of boho chic - a flowy floral skirt paired with a leather

ne and vanilla, enveloped me, and for a moment, I felt like I could

y, nodding in all the right places, her hand resting on mine. When I finally finished, she

n't let him break you like this. He

n," I admitted, my voice cracking. "I

ood abruptly. "Okay, enough

linked at h

kling with determination. "You need to forget

I protested weakly.

ut trust me, you'll feel better after some fresh air and a

sing clothes onto the bed until she found an outfit she deemed acceptable - a sle

nd the hum of distant music. The air was crisp, carrying a hint of winter's cold air. The club

bouncing off mirrored walls. The scent of sweat, alcohol, and faint cologne mingled in the air, creating

old the bartender, flashing her dazzling smile. She handed me a glass, her

eplied, clinking my

efused to heal. I tried to focus on Abigail's laughter, the warmth of the tequila spreading through my veins, and the pulse of the music. For a few hours, I let myself forget.

still amidst the chaos