Reclaiming My Stolen Life

rents, at her own birthday party, were order

flicting emotions. For a split second,

our birthday." He motioned for a waiter. "Please escort my... gue

usband. He picked out the food she liked, remembering she didn't eat cil

over the city. Red, gold, and blue explosions bloomed in the darkness. T

omantic, and utte

arty drinks, telling everyone, "M

phone rang. He glanced at the

t the pavement. He wrenched the steering wheel, maki

oing?" Catherin

he said, the lie clumsy and thin. "I have to

d at him, her

her eyes. "It's... it's a

the curb under the pale glow of a streetlight. She knew exactly w

r own phone. It was from a private inv

ming she will jump. Appears to be

er in a cloud of exhaust. A mome

real emergency. I'll make

idn't

wn a taxi. "Fo

the industrial waterfront. Catherine paid him an

k with fake tears. "I made a fool of myself at the party.

voice was soft, coaxing.

e sound of a kiss,

ne..." Anjel

said. "Tonight

gently. The sound of muffled giggles a

hard to breathe. She remembered a younger Derek, a boy who blushed if she

man who could declare his undying love with fireworks

th the woman who had put her in a coma,

k. It was methodically, sy

her thin dress, but she didn't

sound of their passion a sickening rh