A Perfect Lie

sat in her wheelchair for a long moment. Then, she plac

ther. She walked across the kitchen to the window and looked out into the da

n, Ethan," she whispe

she brought to her architectural designs. While Ethan was at his "late meetings," her sister, Olivia, w

ome nights she would lie on the floor, weeping from the pain and frustration. But Olivia was always there to

entirely her own, separate from the lie her marriage had become. Ethan would come home, full of his empty apologies and f

hat night, carrying a small box

ed with practiced regret. "Total crisis. But it's

ust looked at him, her face a blank canvas. His smile faltered. The col

was in full "devo

fternoon," he announced brightly over breakf

e for the world, to reassure himself that he was s

up to it tod

to help her get ready. "It's important

arefully folding her wheelchair and placing it in the trunk. At the clinic, he was the model of care, holdi

st have to say, you are such an inspiration. Your

er. "She's the strong one," he said,

led a tight,

isted on after the "ordeal" of the appointment. Her phone v

The message w

he loving husband. Does he still tell

in bed. Chloe's hand, with a large diamond ring on h

ct. She didn't gasp. She simply slid

dent facade crumbled into pure, unadulterated panic. His ey

in," he stammered, his

" she said, her voi

the caller ID, and his pani

uickly he knocked over his chair. "A work emerge

cafe, leaving her alone at the table with the overt