His Secret, Her New Beginning

re I turned my back on him for good. The feeling was in

idal shop, and Chloe imme

ened? Are

id, feeling a grin spread ac

felt like a celebration of my newfound freedom. I chose the first dress I had tried on-th

was well-connected, and everything was arranged with an effortles

ardens. The guest list was filled with people who gen

bridal shower for me at her apartment. It was a

gifts when the

"I'm not expect

d it to reveal Liam, holding a

art s

ng here?" Chloe demande

mine over Chloe's shoulder. He looked tired, his

see you," Chloe sai

id, his voice pleading

ns a mixture of confusion and concern. The h

nched at my sides. "It's

worried look b

sence immediately sucking all the air o

voice flat. I put them on a side

low so only I could hear. "These past few we

ing it," I said, thinking of

. "Jessica means nothing to me. I end

d to hear for five years n

oo late

g. It's not too late. We can start over. Publicly, this time. I'll tell

didn't get it. He still thought this was a game, a negotiation. He th

to marry David. I want a life of peace and respect. I want

e desperation in his

You're just th

re was you, and your needs, and me, foolishly

voice cut thro

, you forgot

m her finger. She was wearing a tight, revealing dress,

r ending i

s face pale. "Jessica,

e car," she said, po

the bridal shower decorations with disdain. She

ty for the blushing bride,"

ard. "I think you

d me all about you. He said you were sweet, but a little... clingy

strike. But the strange thing was, it

omeone is you?" I a

ned. "He seems

e a trapped animal. "Tell her, bab

tood there,

the years I had wasted. For the woman I used to

stepping forward. "You

and picked up the bouquet of lil

little something fo

s, then at me, her eyes

ith a sudden, vicious movement, she threw them on the floor and stomp

th a fake gasp of su

ned flowers on the floor. A symbol of five year

his voice. "Jessi

ation. "Look what you made her do, Sarah!

ven now, he w

st vestiges of any feeling I

o his car keys that Jessica was still holding, was the small, silver key I had giv

" I said, my voi

confused

aid, pointing to his ke

was a stupid, small thing, but it was th

on't be r

t to me

ntly took the key off the

n't t

what? Keep it. It's a key to a l

l take it," she said with a laugh. "Maybe I'

front of my face, a f

nt, something in

yell. I d

A cold, sh

ve to get through the new owner f

her face w

a finality that echoed in the silent

a solid wall of support. My other fri

numbered and outmaneuvered. Then, without anot

lowers on the floor. I didn't

t not

gle, bruised petal, and then

mess on the floor a

r, but my life wa