A Decade of Devotion, A Lifetime of Deceit

't come hom

I was alone in our l

nce was

I started packing.

ery drawer, every

of mem

. Ticket stubs from concerts. Photos of

I'd bought it when I was pregn

For Liam. Because Liam couldn't handle

as a fresh s

a large donation box, al

fe I was shedding, a past I w

was painful,

aptop and typed my

ectural firm. A firm where Marcus'

merit, but his father's presence

ces I'd made for Marcus's caree

iven up to take the blame for his d

vage his first solo project, landi

love that was

tion washed over

er that day. My b

ignation. Is everything alr

enderson. I just

brightest designers. Marcus's f

tion: *Are you sure

aid. "Thank you

s called too, expres

will miss

other firm? Did you

ng away from a "great

I told them. "You'll al

s, who always thought

arcus

g on? Is this about... us getting married

sness was al

ife revolved entirely aro

d, my voice calm. "

pressed. "Talk

voice in the background

g, can you get

e. Poss

d, "I have to go, Ell

hun

eart. But this time, it wa

It was a compulsion, a way t

im lounging on Marcus's so

aped possessively a

ust know how to take care o

. Despair threaten

phone rang

ce was

od I reached yo

I asked, my voice

car crash. He's critical

mind struggled

ds blood. A ra

blood type. Another

tter taste in my mout

a sound of pur

lness.' He made a scene at the hospital, said h

m. Selfish

Chloe pleaded. "After everything...

e had betrayed me,

d I let

mall, stubborn part of me still cared.

, my voice barely a w

m the bone marrow procedur

I ag

spital. They pre

y arm. I watched my bl

man who had systematically

lightheaded, until th

kness. I