Four Years and a West Village Watch

n a blur of c

The betrayal. My

ight. I had t

ady drafting the n

ancial support wouldn't be c

Sophia. The vast penthou

talk to me

d to discuss t

discuss," I'd reply,

fused, perhaps a l

eel a fraction of

id, who was discreet and loya

eloped, keeping

the West Village, sir," h

to wait. I

oss the stre

e was, w

ing outside, u

nimated.

With me, she was usually

threw her head back, a ge

lay in a shop window next to

a covetous lo

tood up, and wal

inutes later with a

ake. He opened it,

the watch

. My credit card. The one I

elped him adjust his collar

with Jake, was vibr

o the woman who sh

h a cold certainty,

with

ed everything. My

orced. She w

using my mon

uglier than I'd even a

e annual "Children's H

t. Sophia and I were

ublic per

ention of go

re. She wouldn't miss a

ned to use it to try

usiness partner and best friend,

asked, his expr

better,

he room, a vision i

searching. She starte

, ch

d and out of place in his cheap

yelled, his v

immediately mo

, pointing at me. "He st

scene, a massive o

le g

o grab him. A sc

ng to get to Sophia

of the guards st

hit my head again

nough to daze m

. She didn't

ed to Ja

alone!" she cried at

p, fussing over h

mentarily ignored, a t

de instantly. "Et

defending Jake,

ge. Her rushing

the fin

ready firm, be

o going bac