Echoes of a Broken Vow

he discovered her husband of five years, Joshua Hayes, planned to giv

attered Kath

ess, but she resolved to rec

ed in five years. "I'm going to Jaxperto

ft, Joshua l

.

er cancer, Kathleen finall

ked her blanket gently and stepped

thleen felt a sudden urge. She grabbed the Bluetooth earpiece from th

ive Kathleen's liver to Ell

lose her mother. She gave me

three months left without the

She can wait. Another w

er ears rang, her mind went blank, and one phr

r three years, countless hospital st

ove back and forth six times a day t

operating rooms, praying. He even spent a day

an so devoted

ut of her thoughts. She conv

n as her illness worsened, he never spok

ame in. "Hello? Honey, it's our daughter's birthday

world crumb

," Joshua answ

e doll we saw at the mall

ift, sweetheart. Wait

Kathleen remove

but now her body felt ice-col

is parents' death left him alone. Kathleen fell for h

rriage. Joshua treated her like a princess, vo

by her side, never complaini

se, crying, begging her to hold on and not l

ing light after darkness. She nev

ing?" Joshua ask

"Are you worried about the surgery? It's okay. I just spoke with

ng as ever. Without overhearing, she might n

siness at the office. I'll

rm. She never doubted him before, bu

a glass of milk?"

e room. Kathleen's hands trembled as she unlocked h

all with "Manager Brown" two minutes ag

His lies were so clumsy,

e drinking. I'm in a rush, so I'll go now," Josh

d. He couldn't

er, she opened

forgetting he installed a tracker o

lt like a

location. His car was

ar accident killed h

th cancer. She nearly gave up, but Jos

a new apartment. She hadn't returned to he

s at her parents' villa. When th

parents were gone. A woman and chi

ve, ran into Joshua's arms as he entered. He l

. I thought you'd miss Tara's birt

e as soon as I could. Don't be upset. Lo

rbie doll set and gave

antly-a limited-edition nec

irthday in three days. Now, he plac

felt carved apa

home not to spare her grief bu

uldn't. She opened older footage, st

where she once lay, in her mother's favorite kitchen, on he

on the wall, mocking her as the

aughter. The sordid images screamed

len, I changed my mind. I'm going to Jaxper

as a cruel trick. If she was no longer loved, she