My Husband, The Stranger

parents insisted

aid over the phone. "A nice, normal even

o sit at a table and pretend this stranger was my husband. But I was tired of fighti

nd baked cheese filled the air. My dad was in the living r

boomed, a big, fake

alled himself Ethan followed m

nd my dad got up to give

od to see you. Tha

It was like I was the one who didn't

en, wiping her hands on her

ome on, sit down. Di

set for four. Ethan took the seat next to me, and

t my dad's golf game, a new show my mom was watching, Ethan's wor

e?" my mom asked, her eyes p

bled, pushing pas

He placed his hand on my back, a gesture that was meant

focating me. I could

ce louder than I intended. The clinking of fo

my dad asked, his c

tending he," I pointed a shaking finger at Ethan

g, weary sound. "Ava

is voice hard. "Ethan is your husband.

usband is Liam! We met in college. We got married at

eet Ethan in college. Remember that spring break trip to the lake h

trip to the lake house, that was with Liam. He was the one who s

. "After everything Ethan does for you, this is how you treat him? He works

ed, patient man. He hadn't said a word, letting my parents fight his battle

his eyes full of a car

he said softly. "She's not

s expression softening i

across the table. "I love you. We'l

. I snatched my hand ba

touch me,

ith tension. My dad was glaring at me, an

e, unbearable pity. The perfect, lovi

n my head anymore; it was here, at this table, in the faces of the