My Betrayed Heart, My Stolen Life

he grandfather clock I' d inherited from my dad. It was a sound th

y found

who is

the man, Mark, stepped

t his eyes were cold. "It's a pleasure to finall

rd twisted

hand. I looked

come here. C

took a step back an

mumbled, his voice small bu

er eyes wide. "

n. My flesh and blood. They were defending t

for what was probably their regular Sunday dinner. They stopped short when they

ke!" my mother-in

father-in-law, David, looked from

voice laced with disappr

d quickly, her voice trembling

ound her. "It's okay, honey.

onable center in a storm of my making

this must be hard

," I snarled, tak

barge in here and start making threats. Mark has been a rock for this fam

rds ripping from my throat. "I almo

if speaking to a child. "And it was terrible. But life had to

ey were making excuses for

tage, pressed it. He k

is just a little confused. He

e element. He was casting himself as their protect

ked over and put a hand on m

ront of the children. Let's just... let'

ere was no loyalty in her eyes, only a desperate plea fo

ed, my voice dangerously low. "

d, pulling her hand away a

ed, his tone final. "It wouldn't be right. You can us

signed, in the home I paid for. I was being kicked out of my own b

t the end of the hall. I felt all their eyes on m

a small thud. I felt a sharp pa

y truck he' d thrown lay on the floor at my feet. It was t

th a venom that was terrifying in a six-yea

parents, to Mark. No one moved to correct him. N

rly, compl