TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion

t understand the moment, but the faint scent of cedarwood and c

orefront of her mind, but fell ou

of golden light over her as she tilted her head to look up at him. Niya's heart plummeted as

bel

gile heart. The party around her blurred, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, but she didn't move. She couldn't. The strangers and decoratio

r grandmother standing a few feet away. Her gray hair was pulled into a tight b

ice died in her throat as her eyes shifted back to Alex. A block

closer and taking Niya's arm. Her grip was

allway, her entire being a rollercoaster of em

ne, "You've just woken up. T

terrupted hesitantly as she appeared at the end of the hallway

uickly. "That you're trying to steal my husband?" Niya's voice was cold, foreign to her own e

g closer. "I'm so sorry, Niya, but it's true. You'v

kay to move into my life? Take my husband and act like everything is fine?" Niya felt like she was

, back toward the sitting room. Her pulse pounded

the doorway, taller and broader th

out to him, to touch him and remind herself that he was hers. That they had been something real even if she could barely remember

you. May and I are married," Alex grumbled,

s bulging at the sides of her neck. "We're-you and me! This is some kind of joke, right? Why are you joki

led with tears, but Niya

rembling hands shot up, motioning wildly between herself and Alex. The p

w confused invitees behind before he stepp

her into his arms where she longed to be in and she started relax

rowl forming in his chest. "We've had enough of your drama. You

process what was actually going on. "Are you trying to punish me? I...I don't

ou want, Niya, and I really don't care.

ould talk this through. This isn't you." she tried to reach him again bu

-that he could explain everything. But there was nothing. No regre

just never seen me like this. You don't know