His Fake Death, Her Real Power

ée, slowly re-engaging with the world. He played the part of the devoted brother-in-law, checking on me, bringing me meals, and

ever, took place whenever

ted on a "quiet family dinner." It was just her, David-dis

his arm was wrapped tightly around her. They looked like a couple. To anyone who didn't know, they were a grieving widow and her s

not quickly. It wasn't a guilty scram

rfected the art of appearing fragile, as if a strong gust of

stiffened, but forced myself to accept the embrace. Her perf

into my ear, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "I don't kn

about the man sitting right there on the sofa, the man she was sle

tight smile. "We all find st

k," and then look at David with tear-filled eyes. David would reach across the tabl

trembling. "You rented that Vespa and we got lost in the T

y. "I remember. It

a memory she shared with her real husband, his brother. But David

ned to me, a calculated

g at her eyes with a napkin. "Especially with the bab

David's eyes on me, watching for my reaction. Mrs. Peter

en belly. The baby kicked,

them more than anything," I said, my

moment. She hadn't expected de

into the living room to retrieve a glass. David and Olivia were stand

aned in, his voice a low whisper. "Are

ted back to look at him. "I just hate

" he murmured, his t

ed with a possessive venom that was completely at odds with her frag

t leaned down and kissed her, a long, lingering ki

fresh wound, a brutal tearing open of a hurt I thought I had contained. The sight of his lips on hers,

-law. Instead, he was consuming her, devouring his brot

ear hatred. The pain was immense, a crushing weight on my

oth sides. On his way out tha

I know tonight was difficult. Seeing Olivia so hap

I said, my

h false sincerity, "that even though Olivia needs me right now,

was standing downstairs, waiting to go home with him,

marry was a ghost, replaced by this hollow-eyed monster. And I was