When Love Turns To Ashes

knew-a shadow of concern in his eyes as he watched me. It was gone in an instant, replaced by the familiar mask of

a bird with broken wings, incapable of f

placing me in a VIP suite that overlooked the city

and malnutrition," he said, his voice flat. "You

d my he

Sarah, don't be a ch

not h

e. He forced the spoon into my mouth. The soup was bland, tasteless.

will do as you're told. You will not cause any more tro

away. He thought this was a vict

side table. "Buy yourself something ni

or a piece of jewelry could fill the gaping hole where my daughter and grand

s a block of ice, but beneath it, a single, hot

doll he kept on his shelf. He didn't realize that every act of cruelty, every

lked barefoot down the cold hospital corridors

r that held my grandmother's body. I

unshed tears. "I'm sorry. I will make them p

. Mi

in a neat suit stood in the

id softly. "I'm... I was

fficient young man who was always i

lled with a sympathy that felt real, unlike Ethan's manufactured concern. "She paid fo

for Olivia Hayes's car. The brakes weren't faulty. She was drunk. I also have the security foota

I have. It's not enough to convict her in court-Mr

stunned. An all

his?" I asked, my vo

se what he's doing to you is wrong. If you need a

d unfamiliar feeling

ty's elite. He stood by my side, playing the part of the grieving, supportive ex-husband. He deli

ificent. A true master of deception. I felt a cold, bitter smile touch my lips. H

lences, I tried to speak to him. "Ethan, there's

his grip on my arm a warning. "

rm. She was wearing a fashionable black dress that

m not feeling well. The d

ely shifted to her. "Of co

. "Oh, Sarah, have you heard? Olivia is pregnant! Isn't it wonderful

w. A new beginning. A new child to r

urve of her belly. And a terrible thought, a co

have been... intentional? A way to clear the path for this new, perfect family? The tho