Five Years, A Cruel Deception

He could see. Chloe was there, and she wasn' t alone. Ethan had his arms wrapped around her from behind, his hands sliding under her dres

ether. They were doing this while a party full of their "friends" c

water into the toilet. He leaned against the cool tile of the wall, his body shaking uncontrollably. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, a pale, gaunt stranger with haunted eyes

calm. He walked back into the party just as Chloe and Ethan re-entered fro

e feeling better," he said, his tone dripping with false sincerity. He held out a small, gift-

, but it was easier than making a sc

Liam said, his voi

clawing at his throat. "I can' t... breathe," he choked out, pointing to

one to call 911. But then she looked at Liam, who was standing perfectly still, watching the scene unfold. Her

to hear. She grabbed his arm, ignoring the man who was supposedly having a lif

o him, for the benefit of the crowd, even as her lover was

ke this," she announced to the room. "It' s an emergency with work." She shot a quick, indecip

rted home by one of Chloe' s friends. Liam was left alone in the wrecka

he' d felt before. He doubled over, gasping. It felt like his insides were on fire. He stumb

been po

. The watch from Ethan. The sudden, convenient allergic reaction

he' d picked at before the party. He carefully

but there was no answer. The pain was getting worse, a searing agony that made it hard t

oned," he managed to whispe