A Compass, A Betrayal, A Life

of a machine. My first sensation was an ache, a hollow emptiness in the c

ible. His expensive suit was rumpled, his hair was a mess, and his face was p

wake," he said,

one question in my mind, a d

hispered, my own

my eyes. He reached for my

. The

hick with false reassurance. "The doctor said

didn' t fill the void inside me.

by wa

w and ugly. It turned int

, the sound tearing at my th

said, trying to soothe me. "It

the stress of finding my husband with his assistant? The str

ust stood there, looki

er face pale and tear-streaked. She looked small and

e if she was okay," she s

He went to her, his voice gentle. "You

toward her was like another

th tears that looked perfectly rehearsed. "I never meant

, my voice low and

ooking to Mark

ne turning sharp. "She' s been th

ice rising. "She' s scared?

ce was suddenly harsh, protective of

it. The f

ing a shaking finger at him

no words came out. He looked torn. But then Chloe le

k on me and led h

g me in silence. But I could

ed but clear. "Don' t cry. It was my fault. I' ll ma

tion. I was no longer his priority. I w

g down my face, silent now. The emptiness inside m

ered. Not com

g for me, her tail wagging, her warm body a comfort in the co

er gave me a sli

ers were clumsy, but I managed to dial the number. I

ked up on the

everythi

ers," I said, my voice surpris

the other end of the

way where my husband had stood. "I' ve ne