The Wife They Broke

icker of confusion in his

ice called from the living room. "Jacob, honey,

, Jacob turned and walked awa

nstant, brutal performance for an audience of one. But their audience was no longer watching. Alexia

nty-fifth birthday party. Jacob threw a lavish event

uzzed wit

im, he dot

utive, but he treat

im treat Alexia li

. It was ironic. They were trying so hard to prove her love through jealousy, but all they were doing was k

nton flanked her. Jacob presented her with a brand-new sports car, the key dan

toward Alexia's corner, searching for the

sat quietly, her expression

smile faded. Their failure to p

ne, decided to take matters into her

going to wish me a happy b

for you," Alexia s

hat I'm here." Her eyes scanned Alexia, then landed on the simple gold locket arou

d, her voice dripping with gre

tinctively flew t

whined, turning to Jacob, who had followe

cold mask. "Alexi

voice trembling for the first time th

is father's cruelty. "It's just a piece of meta

Alexia's voice cracke

ripped the pendant from her neck. The chain

ed of them," he said,

her composure finally break

locket, trembled slightly. But the moment passed. The

ant to a triumphant Kassandra

ee, Mom? Dad love

ttering. This wasn't a game anymore.

she whispered. "Is

tally" let it slip from her fingers. It

g her stiletto heel down on it. The soft gold crumpled with a s

her mother. A strangled sob escaped her lips. She dropped to her knees, fra

grabbed her arm, pulling her up. "It's

dra away. "You di

o her palm, drawing blood. The physical pai

s grip like iron. "Apol