Chasing a Statue: Eight Years Lost

He peeled her apples, cutting them into perfect, even slices. He fluffed her pillows and adjusted her blankets. When the

a breakthrough, a sign that he finally cared. She would have clung

w Alex fel

ld a glass of water to her lips, and all she felt was a vast, desolate emptiness. The fire she had c

ess, a slow, painful death. But it wasn't. It was instantaneous. It was the crac

d wasn't a process. It was a s

ting at the curb. Alex walked out of the hospital, feeling weak

king petulant and b

l, almost invisible bandage was still taped to her cheek, a ridiculous parody

g here?" Alex ask

for Alex. "Chastity is coming home wi

at Chastity, and his voice held a soft, chid

I'm sorry, Alex. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just so upset, and I get... e

ningless apology to smooth things over.

got into the car, the silence stret

in the front, a pane of soundproof glass separating them from the dr

d them. Brooks's eyes kept drifting to C

aid loudly enough for Alex to hear. "Brandon Carmichael just sent me a friend request. He's so cu

hot out and covered her phone screen. "Delete

lling her phone away. "I'm

ds' like him," Brooks said, his vo

er of triumph. She had gotten the reaction she wanted. She pre

his shoulders re

her brother. He was her jealous, possessive lover, trapped in a role he couldn't escape. The thou

her bedroom and closed the door. She didn't

g room-Chastity's high-pitched giggles and Brooks's rare, low chuckle. The sounds were a const

ain she had come to associate with her marriage. I

t out of her room. She padded silently down the

soft glow of the city lights filterin

couch, sh

pression of such raw, unguarded adoration that it stole the breath from Alex's lungs. His hand gently stroked Chastity's hair, his fin

y murmured his

ed up in her sleep, her hand circling the back of

lips

ious gesture from Chastity. But for B

e saint crumbled into dust. He groaned, a sound of pure, agonizing need, and leaned into the kiss. He kissed her not like a brot

ness to the ultimate betrayal. The sight didn't

uzzle, locking everything into