His Pain, Her Penance

ange is confirmed. The g

surprise she might have felt. I stood by the window of my office, lo

rprise for my fiancée, Chloe. She deserves the best,"

oom, shot me a look of disbelief. "Ethan, are you sure about th

the city below. "Thank you for your help," I told the p

ice low. "Don't try to

mixture of pity and anger. "Th

vast, empty space had opened up inside me where my heart used to be. "She

my desk and picke

as a simple statement, but it car

the screen, a bright, beautiful smile that I now knew was a li

miss you. Can't wait for our bi

word was a

small town, her family wealthy and respected. I was the quiet boy from a

schoolyard. They knocked me down, my head hitting the pavement. I remember the sh

ered, leaving me bleeding and dizzy on the ground. She knelt beside me, her small hands surprisingly gentl

e like a son, and Chloe was my constant companion. She held my hand through nightmares and panic attack

with her under the stars, I

you ever cheat on me... I won't just leave. I'll disappear. I'll erase

es serious. "I would never, Ethan. I love

e she ha

a business document in the study of the house we shared, the house her parents had bought for u

eed. Married for three months. Tucked behind it was an ultrasound report. Two distinct h

ncially supported for years. He was always around, always a lit

accidentally" bump into me, the way he'd ta

I don't trust him," I'd said. "

re just being jealous, Ethan.

and. The father

destroyed by her. The woman I had given my entire heart to had carve

again. This ti

ing worried." Her voice was sweet, laced w

some work, Chloe.

a low murmur. Noah's voice. I heard him say so

u?" I asked, my voi

at's just the TV, honey

easy. So

s. "I have a surprise for you, by the way. A

e other end of the line. "Oh, Ethan

y voice dead. "I truly can

n the aisle. I imagined the confusion, the panic, the public shame. The thought brought me no joy