When Love Died, Freedom Began

was low, trembling with a fury s

this family did. Ethan would be furious if he

eld a complex reverenc

ed, a high, b

ve whatever I tell h

was an old fool. Just like your mother, I suppose. Weak w

died heartbroken and alone years

a sna

cting with Jessica' s cheek

ing to her face, her eyes wi

rieked, lunging at Amel

, but Jessica, off

for purchase. It found the smoot

led, spilling Eleanor' s ashes across

, horror was

scattered ashes, her

e whispered.

's shriek – it bro

his face thunderous. His aunt

sica on the floor, tears streaming down he

ce raw with pain and rage. "Wha

k. He accuse

actress, burst int

ttacked me! I tried to stop her, but she... she knocked over Grandmother' s

vered with such convincing hyst

y, but no words came. The audacity of th

well cla

stro

s to be p

the po

rage, pointed at Amelia. "In my day, a

ys wanted to believe the worst of her. Jessica had ju

s blazing with a cold fire she had s

, Amelia," he said, hi

condemnation: "Disrespecting my grandmother' s memor

ng into her flesh. "You are a disgra

consider her si

ed, trying to pull her arm free. "Jessi

ce hardened

umbled back, her head connecti

oded behin

as immedia

zziness, she saw Eth

ica, his expression

ured, gently brushing a tear fro

n as Amelia' s head throbbed, was a

ng Amelia had ever yearned for, and it was directed at t

of it all was

wall, the strength

room

through the fog. "Get her out of her

hauled her

rom the alcove, past the horrified,

e darkness claimed her was E

r, alone, in a guest ro

sly. A large, tender bruise

than' s cruelty, his blind devotion to Jessica, and

y, utterly a

This was the final straw. There would b

nightstand. A message

, champagne glasses raised, a luxur

nings. Some people just can't handl

tell you he hopes you learned your less

s, no tears, no anger. Just

' t stop. Etha

incing. She fo

nants of her past life with Ethan that s

ding day – Eleanor had insisted. Amelia sm

r on their first (and only) anniversary,

with unexpressed love and hope, never

a severing,

ock. Ethan stood there, his

the discarded items, A

melia? Trying to make me feel guilty by dest

r plea for his attention,

t understand.

genuine smile, faint but

, her voice calm, almost li

the divorce being finalized. The thought of being complete

rst time, it reached her eyes, sh

He took a step into the

demanded, grabbing he

ked down at his hand on her a

clearly, "I. Want. You. O

e, but with a quiet, unshakeable resol

ar enough fo