The Marriage Built on Lies

re, I missed a pill, then another. A

preg

e the sun coming out from behind the clouds. He dropped to his knees and wrap

awe. "Our baby. This is the best news of my

enuine spark of happiness. A baby. A family. Maybe my mother wa

d the house. The evening was warm, and the air smell

in his, his expression

gest, most beautiful person I have ever known. I love you. I want to spend

side was a simple, elegant diamond r

at bay, but it also made it hard to think clearly. I looked at his earnest, loving

elf say. "Yes, Eth

it felt like a promise. A promise o

introduced him as Dr. Ben Carter, an old friend from his childho

't cooperate. The lines were shaky and uncertain. I heard Ethan

Ben said, his voice strained. "Especially

want her to relapse? Do you want to see her back in that dark apart

slowly. What you're doing... it's more than just managing an

d with a desperation that sent a small shiver down my sp

s a long

is voice barely a whisper. "This reveng

said quietly. "It's about love. I love h

han came to me with my p

s voice casual. "But I don't want to risk it. Not when y

pills without a thought. What works. H

meeting for his family's tech company. Ben sat with me in the g

feeling, Chlo

I said, smil

ed," he said, nodding at the abandoned sketchbook in my lap. "Ethan used to talk

"I don't remember mu

aid carefully. "It can cloud thing

. "Sometimes, dreams have important things hi

creating a small crack in the peaceful facade of my life. I didn't

y much, Chloe. He just... he has a very sp

the table next to my sketchbook. "Just in case you ever want t