His Deception, Her True Freedom

ent. I didn't know how long I'd been unconscious. I dragged myself up, my body ach

was to

amiliar sound of his keys hitting

s voice echoed in the c

ing against my ribs. I c

standing there, pale and trembling. He

are. I wa

her perfume. A cloying, sweet scent that clung to

away from

smile faltering.

o was a complete stranger to me. Tears I didn't know I had left began to s

I looked, how my hands were shakin

id, loosening his tie. "Willow is a geniu

uccess, completely oblivious to th

t to touch my face that he rea

forehead. His expression shifted to one of genuine, if fle

e bed. "Lie down. I'll

n, the caring husband, was there. A part of m

to look for the thermo

tone was a custom one, a soft

was

ely, his voice dropping

d what? ... No, no, stay calm. I'm on my way. Don't w

abbing his car keys. He had completely forgotte

he said, his eyes avoiding mine

ready at

ispered, my

doorknob, impatient. "What

g. He didn't even have the decency

ide of his pregnant mistress, who was probably having a

" I said, my v

s the final nail in the coffin of our marriage. I lay in bed, shivering,

to g

night at the family estate. I was supposed to go with him. Now, I would go al

and deliberate. I put on a simple black dres

ull swing. Ethan's mother, Eleanor, saw me first. Her p

ked, her tone accusatory. "Don't tell me you two

me. I was the barren wife, the woman

rk," I said, the lie tast

f pity and contempt. "Look at her. She never looks happy." "I he

Ethan's. I had hosted their parties, remembered their birthdays, smoothed over their petty squab

but in control. He came straight to my sid

'm so sorry, darling. A crisis at the company. You know how it is." He t

s barbs. A month ago, this would have made my heart swell with love. Now, it just m

the real s

ballroom opened, and

ed dress that accentuated her pregnant belly.

r. A wave of murmurs

ed, horrified. This was not part

malicious smile played on her lips. She walked slowly, deliberately, tow

ull of mock sweetness. "I was so

licly staki

, her face a thundercloud. "Who is this

her smile widening. "You must be Ethan's mother. I'

w's belly. The question hung in

d, her voice trembling with a mixtu