The Puppet Unstrung: Chloe's Freedom

on I went through without thought, just like everything else in my life with Mark. The main hall was a sea

He looked different, not just because of the tailored suit that had replaced his usual hospital scru

ace went blank, then hardened into a look of cold disappointment. He sa

s the voice he used for patients he cou

anaged, my t

n's back. She smiled at me, her eyes kind, completely unaware of the

hildhood friend' wa

to finally meet you. Ethan has told me

enuine, but they

e engaged," I said, my

ng my face. His gaze was heavy with judgment. "Funn

decision, my endless cycle with Mark. I felt the familiar sham

g at the stars. He had just gotten into medical school. I had just won my first architectural design award. He' d turned to me

ted again. It was the fifth time. The fifth time I' d found out. Ethan didn't say 'I told you so.' He just sat there, his knuckles white on the steering wheel, his own heart breaking for me.

gonist, and I was the foolish, forgiving heroine who always came back.

d for years began to recede. The invisible strings that had manipulated my every move went slack. I looked at Ethan, truly looked at him, and for the first time, I

force of a physical blow. I had been a pupp

away from them, from the pity in

hone, my fingers trembling as I dialed Etha

he asked, his v

o talk to you. P

ittle busy, Chloe. It's my engag

sorry. Just f

. The rooftop garden

ng with a desperate hope. Maybe it wasn't

ed in her hair. He was murmuring something to her, and she was laughing, a sound of pure joy. He kissed her then, a deep, loving kiss th

w me standing there. The softn

m, my legs feeling

he said, his arm still prote

one?" I asked, g

thing you have to say, you ca

een us. I took a deep breath. "I'm

eard that one, Chloe? Is this the part where you cry, and I'm supposed

cracking. "It's different t

e. Sarah makes me happy. We're getting married next month.

fortress, and I was on the outside. He pulled a small, elegant card fro

with a bitterness that tore me apart. "Just wanted you to know.

ds refused to move. He dropped it, and

hers. It was final. It was real. The hope that had flared

o the street, a cold wind picked up, and the sky opened. Rain began to fall, thick and heavy, plastering my hai

han a home. I was shivering, drenched, and utterly broken. I sank to

ut it pinged again, insistent. I dragged myself over and o

ildlife Conservation Project in Tanzania. The position begins immediately. We believe your unique architectural eye will bring a new perspective to

eone else, someone who wasn't defined by the men she had loved and lost. A sing