His Pain, Her Penance

ve to the house we were supposed to move into after the wedding. The ho

f a future that would never happen. I walked through the empty rooms, each one a monumen

posed to wear. Beside it, the box containing our wedding rings. I opened it. The simpl

n I took out the other ring from my pocket. A cheap, silver-colored band.

back in the box. I placed Noah's ch

a courier

ving them the address to the apartment Chloe's family pai

ning the two rings. A g

or a pre-wedding dinner. Mrs. Davis greeted me wit

You look tired. Are y

the wedding, Mrs. Davis,"

of yourself. Chloe woul

g certainty. She had to know. A daughter from a family like this doe

deception, and I was the only one

loe and Noah, half-hidden by a large oak tree. He had his a

r voice tight with anxiety. "Ethan is very percept

Relax, baby. He's so in love with you

ry kiss. Chloe didn't pull away. She lean

. This was the woman who claimed to love me, the

s stressed, but she hadn't touched a cigarette in months. F

I felt a bitter tast

ng with a mixture of rage and disgust. I couldn'

back onto the patio, her face co

ou are. I was l

round, a flicker

my voice even. I met her gaze, holding

ign that I knew, that I had seen. I

ll," she said, forcing a light laug

her came over, hol

reveal an antique watch. "It was my father's. It's a fa

the patio lights. Another lie. Another prop in their

tared at it. I di

a subtle, nervous gesture. She had som

I think I need to lie down for

asked, my tone casua

ooked at me, her eyes pleading. "You should

ying to ge

t," I said.

g the pillows, acting the part of the devoted fiancée.

the soft click of the door as she slipped out. I waited, listening to her fo

ystal clear. I sat up and looked at the glass of water

d echoing in the silent room. Water and shards of glass rained down on the expensive carpet. It