Jilted Bride, Shattered Illusion

robbing ankle-and went to a loud, crowded bar in the Meatpacking District

from a nearby booth. She recognized the voices of Demetriu

ng really off?"

y celebrating. He told me last week he couldn't stand J

ey felt distant, like the

first voice said. "He was just using Julianne for her

lightly. She had known it, of course. But hearing it spo

king out into the cool night air. She didn't go

en a tall man with dark hair approached he

hispered, her

but smiled. "I can be Cr

Demetrius stood there, his face a mask of thunderous rage. He gr

om her!" Dem

your problem?" t

to pull Demetrius off. "Stop it!

w intensity in his stare was so familiar it sent a jolt of their old

sound defiant. "In fact, I was thinking of getting a

?" Demetrius snarled, his

Demetrius? I buy your time, your art, your presence. This

voice shaking with a fur

y a cocktail of alcohol and pain. "You know why I ch

s times, a gesture that was never meant for him. "You were always just a subst

. The look on his face was one of profound

out, her face etched with worry. "Demetrius? I w

ain away, replaced by a weary exhaustion. He too

Cayla's car. Cayla got behind the whe

t a bar?" Cayla asked Demetrius

ped, his attention still on Julianne, who ha

ce grew louder, more hysterical. "She's trying to r

ive," he said,

ou right now! She thinks she

ive!" Demet

second, time seemed to slow down. The screech of tires, t

ld went