My Heart, His Cruelty

into my own tomb. The air was thick with the scent of lilies, his favo

dark liquor in his hand, staring out at th

six hours," he said, his v

s are dead

still not looking at me. "Th

ream, to claw his eyes out. But I remembered Amit's words. Be s

bedroom. The whole place was a museum of o

n our first anniversary. I was laughing, my head thrown back, a genui

' d woken me up at dawn, pulling me out onto a balcony that overlooked the sea. He to

believ

with a reputation for being a kingmaker. He was charismatic, brilliant, and intense. H

appy. He supported my work, challenged my ideas, and loved m

olleague I'd had lunch with. "You don't need to waste y

solated me from my own team. He bought out a majority share in my company,

-consuming loves that often ended in tragedy. His grandfather had kept his wife a virtual prisoner in their mansion

software on my car and my laptop. He chose my clothes. He alienated my friend

and called a cab. He was waiting for me in the lobby. I never found out how h

his voice breaking. "After everythin

d me for two days, not sleeping, not eating, just watching. It was the most terrifying e

apist to deal with my "instability." H

in the bedroom. I heard her laugh, a sound of smug satisfaction. I

al blow. When I confronte

ut a trace of shame. "She understands the bur

ries swirled around me, fueling the cold fire in my gut. He had tak

t his passion blind me to the poison beneath. The regret was a

the doorway, bl

stand there all

my sides. The grief and rage were a tidal w

me was engraved on it. I grabbed it, the weight solid and real in my ha