Her Vengeance is a Silent Waltz

d my husband, Alex, ref

said over the phone, his voice cold.

ly took a bullet for him. A deb

as forced to sign sterilization papers, ensuring Diamond, who claimed the bullet

lent outburst" led to my sister's hospitalization. At the funeral they planned

grabbed me, his hands roaming my body in a grotesque

The next morning, Diamond stood on our doorstep, a triumphant smile on her face,

lve. I turned and walked away from the wreckage of my life. It was time to erase E

pte

a noticed. It clung to her clothes, her hair, he

ll of f

al payphone receiver. She didn't need to look a

nected on th

flat. Devoid of warmth. T

, it'

e other end. "What is

have much time. I need to see her. Please." H

said. His tone was sharp

burned at the back of her eyes. She refused

k. "She's not comfortable with you being

n the air betwe

ds. His were warm and strong. "I'll always protect you," he ha

was gone.

d into the phone. "Her men put my sist

rceived threat," he recited, the words sounding rehears

e not sensitive?

bility. She saved my life. That is a

attempt. The bullet Diamond took for him, a wound she orchestrated herself. A story he believ

ife is part of yo

ce was absolute. "You know the rules. You stay away

e. He didn't have to sa

e impassive as he stood by. Voluntary Sterilization. A procedure to ensure Diamond, who claimed the bullet

demanded Erica's f

st time. The word was a sh

" he said. "Stop c

ne wen

t, the dial tone a flat, indifferent h

hook. Her fingers didn't tremble.

into the gray afternoon. The c

in. She had lost her future when he signed away

tried to be the person he wanted, the q

void inside her. It was cold and hard a

s res

ding two blocks from the hospital. An appoi

ly contact she had no

from him, her

dy for the first time in months. "Completely. A

waves. She was going