Beyond Silence

2: A Fre

house in a friendly neighborhood and landed a job that seemed pretty g

ch other while saying hello in the yard. Then, while I was walking my dog, I

. He mentioned he was single and living alone. I tried n

k. Life had taught me to be careful, and I was used to feeling disapp

ext day, I came home from work and saw him

go grocery shopping, he said with a

taurant, the conversation flowed easily, like we were old friends. Alexander's kind na

ught I would. He listened closely as I shared my past. His face showed

doctor and how it kept him too busy for relationships before. I admir

me chores. We laughed and chatted like we were old pals.

exander to come pick me up for dinner and a show. The more time we spe

ave me encouragement. It felt like I was the only person that matt

my strength, and I felt proud in a way I hadn't felt before. As the

ry. Alexander showered me with attention, gifts, and

first time. After that, he started talking about marriage, and I

on the next block. He was so proud and excited to show it to me.

plans and even told me to quit my job to be a full-time wife. When he decid

wedding I dreamed of. But by then, I was under his spell, doing everything he want

that Alexander created. At the time, I missed

ed me to. But it became clear that some of them were only after my cooking and free beer. Alexander loved t

fireplace. Since he was busy with work, he asked me to handle our money.

We gave them cash to buy materials too. After selling our old houses, we pooled

the extra people we had to feed. Alexander never looked

drinking. He would have a couple of beers with friends at first, but after they left, he'd drink whisk