Beyond Betrayal: Finding Her Own Path

a dull throb through her lower body, a physical echo of the emptiness that ha

er apartment, the scene that greeted her f

er. His arm was wrapped protectively around her as he murmured something soft and comf

d in the doorway, a ghost in her own home

or look guilty. He just looked annoye

his voice low.

om around Sarah, who sat up,

arah said, her voice dripping with

quickly, a poor excuse that he di

hollowed out. She just looked at them, at the space

mach bug," she lied, her voice fla

as an office. It was cramped and dark, a tiny space that now felt like her on

ought about the years she had poured into this marriage, the love she had given so freely, the future she

ck came at

s Mark. "Can

or opened anyway. He stoo

sounding rehearsed. "I was worri

otions, saying the words he thought he was supposed to say. She coul

ing, becoming more practical. "She's not used to c

a was speechless. She had just come from the hospital after a medical proced

iet but firm. "I'm not feeli

limsy mask of concern fell away, reve

a guest. She' s trying to help. The

ter laugh. "Gracious? Yo

, wiping her hands on an apron. "It's alright, Mark. I can m

k of pity that mad

her. "You see, Ava? That's what I'm talking

ting a hand on her back. "Do

osture that of a devoted protector. She leaned her head bac

m, standing beside him at the stove, guiding his hands. He had learned for her. Now, he was using those skil

tarve. She needed her strength. Not for this life, but

ushed herself up and walked out to the dining tabl

e. "I was just about to call you. I

rich broth she made. She forced herself to sit, to pick up a spoo

ful chatter. She watched as Mark placed a piece of chicken on Sarah's plate, as Sarah laughed and

meal, Mark

e dishes? Sarah' s hand

a sudden, violent motion, she hurled it against the wall. It s

er voice a low gr

ey were red and chapped from cleaning, from

ark. Have you ev

ock. She quickly fumbled in her purse

It's a wonderful hand cream Mark bought fo

grace to look embarrassed. He had bought another woman expensiv

t was just another fact, another piece of

a mixture of pity and triumph. "Go

Sarah' s perfectly manicured hands. S

arity," she said, her

small, dark room, closing the do