The Vows We Fake

I was going over flower arrangements with Leah who was a bit chatty, but her words went right through my ears. I nodde

could he not

so bad you manipulate your brain into forgetting it. I could understand

e that I was lodging at during the planning period. The skyline stretched out in the dis

been fi

with one desperate choice and helplessly

Years

rything – calling, messaging, sending emails. Zane didn't respond. My voicemail was succinct and brief. Zane, you need to listen to me. Someth

ain and ag

m a brief email. I attached all the proof and documents to the email, apologized for the

d, but at least I tried. I didn't want him blindsided. I wanted him to hear the truth from me. The truth about his

ick cardigan barely from shivering. I had gone through the files in the drive ten time. Emails, contracts, coded, encrypted bribe

d although Zane was smart, very brilliant, he trusted too easily. Especially

o a journalist I trusted so that they could oust the criminal billionaires and corporate dynasties. I thought I cou

I did. A rash decision, m

ealize how late

coffee shop, hands trembling over a cup of tea. "Are you sure about this? You c

ack. I took his fingers in mine and tried to smile

tightened even

ing to him. Hopefully

ra, this can ruin your

can't keep this a secret fr

romptu press statement. Nestled in my bed, clinging to a cup of coffee and dist

y inch of him. His voice was cold, eyes even colder. "This cowardly act of betrayal was orchestrated by someone very close to me. Someone I trusted and let into my ho

idn't matter that I had done it for him. In hi

s statement that Zane gave the media. I was out for about 30 minutes when I heard si

he house, flames were licking the night sky. The air was thick w

ast spectators. "No! My

down. All I could do was scream as I watched our house burn to ashes. Our home, our photos, our letter, our memories, ou

ust lik

blood. I could still remember the pungent choking scent of smoke in my lungs, the tears I buried deep in my heart. I b

out how I doubled over in the bathroom of a motel room, hands pressed to my lower abdomen as pain ripp

ied so deep that I fo