His Vows, Her Pills, A Life Unraveled

silence on the oth

oice came through

ewel. Wher

simple, solid promise. It was the

ry's Hospital,

fifteen minutes. Don't talk to anyon

actly who

d, the word b

voice softening. "Yo

ssidy was a self-made tech mogul now. He had the power and reso

iting. The black car that pulled up was discreet. The driver opened the door for me an

ceiling, replaying every lie, every touch, every

I returned to our house. He must have tracked my

me, pulling m

u? I was so worried. I though

love, now made my stomach churn. I remembe

mand answers. But I knew I couldn't. Not yet.

pushed

. felt overwhelmed with w

g for a crack in my story.

his voice a mix of relief and hurt

h now feeling like a brand. "Don't ever

hroat. He was living just fine wit

ce flat. "I'm just tired. I

as overly attentive, trying to win me back from a distance he couldn't understand. H

was a fresh

o out to our favorite restaura

ce dinner, just the t

t was part

ting, quiet music. Andreas held my hand across the

l," he said. "Mor

on the table. T

bell

He saw m

flipped the

a little too quickly

ll. I sat there, a perfect statue of a lovi

minutes later, smil

ent emergency. It's hand

real wife. He was probably soothing her, telling her

he had an early meeting he'd forgot

g, when my phone lit up. A video ca

t came again. I

ird try,

screen. She was in what looked like

she said, her vo

ant?" I asked,

w that Andreas is with his real family toni

oke me. I wouldn't giv

ging up,

widening. "There's someone

, looking tired. He didn't see the phone. Annabelle

l those years ago, when your family was again

nnoyed. "Annabel

said, pouting. "Tell

oment. He looked down at t

oice quiet but clear

le was the last thing I sa

t regr

e didn't regret marrying her.

shed in my mind. Th

, for all of my days. You ar

I was just a detour. A game he played whi

ed into a ball, a silent, guttural sob shaking my entire body.

tiny, foolish part of me that thought maybe he was trapped, that maybe he loved me m

one. All that was left was a holl

ew contact Cassidy had sent me. Th

ime to e