Shattered Crystal, Broken Love

ystal cut through the quie

d by a tiny, t

d ran from the living room. My heart was alrea

on study. On the floor in front of her were the glittering shards of his limited-edition cry

ispered, her voic

than stood behind me, his tall frame blocking the light. I didn

ontrolled. He didn't look at Lily. He didn't look

said, his voice dangerou

returned to the US after years abroad. The woman whose i

quickly, moving to stand between him a

ming down her pale cheeks. She pressed

n, not at Lily, but at m

les, Sarah. No one

pleaded, keeping my voice low. "She' s

mly pulled Lily away from me. Her little fingers

ice taking on the tone he used for his wellness sem

the one at the end of an isolated hall. The one

turning into panicked sobs. "No, Dad

d over me. "Ethan

rified of enclosed spaces. You know that. Please,

aced his hand on the scanner. It beeped softly an

his eyes cut me to the core. It wasn't jus

oice sharp. "Your constant hovering has made her weak. I, a

" I cried out, r

get to her. Lily let out a sharp, terrified

f discussing a business negotiation.

ng off her screams. The sile

, seamless wood. "Ethan, open the

eel. "Stop it, Sarah. You' re being h

ll. I fought him, but he was too strong. He pushed me

, crying, pleading through t

n was gone. A note was on the kitchen counter. "Hav

tation room. The

hands shaking. "Lily

e was crumpled on the floor in th

spered, flickin

ng. I fell to my knees beside her, my hands hovering over her still body. A

pulse. No bre

hter wa

into my arms, holding her tight against my chest. The pain was a physical thing, a crushing weight that stole the air from my lu

Ethan had left on, caught my attention. It was

ul Ethan Hayes Welcomes Back

ge, smiling, a picture of enlightened calm. Ch

matic, filled the grand ballroom. It was the same vo

crowd, "is to honor both my spiritual path and you, C

s. He was celebrating. He was declaring his devotion to anot

nto something cold and hard inside

ing her with her favorite blanket. I pick

e number fo

t and empty. "It' s Sarah Miller. Ple