My Hero Husband, My Monster

e after two da

sta' s delicate constitution, I was released. I was weak, my l

as no time

aid out for me. It was the

e, his face impassive. "From now on, you will perform the duties of a junior maid. You will addr

wife, was officially erased. I was now jus

uests, New York's elite, arrived in a procession of black cars. They were all part of Blake' s world-powerful, wealthy

d his fallen wife. But no one dared to challenge Blake Wallace. His power was absolute. So they pla

filling drinks and clearing empty plates, meant to be invi

f the evening, he presented her with his gifts. First, a diamond necklace so larg

ted it with a

Blake announced, his v

It was a small, fluffy white dog, a rar

g the dog into her arms. "Oh, Blake, h

veryone. In front of me. The crowd applauded politely. My stomach turned to i

ine across the room. A malic

er voice carrying easily o

oze, the silver tray in my hands

e he

my eyes fixed on the floor. I st

My voice was a de

res constant care. From now on, you will be his personal attendant. You will feed him, walk him, and clean

og. The humiliation was so profound, s

ough for those nearby to hear. "I know you have a severe allergy to dogs, Ellen. Your skin breaks out

e up. It made it hard to breathe. Blake knew this. H

te, silent plea in my eyes

his face a blank mask, as this woman se

My resistance had only ever bro

h, Your Gra

champagne flowed. I stood in my corner, my heart a dead we

round beneath m

rth. The crystal chandeliers swayed violently, and

thq

descended into chaos. Men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns screamed a

He grabbed Celesta, shielding her with his body, and began pushing

g. My eyes were watering, and a wheezing sound started in my chest. Prince, the puppy

shrieked. "Elle

r-death situation, I was still th

ross the ceiling. I stumbled through the panicked crowd

l chandelier directly above m

hurtling toward me. There was no time to run. I curled m

n a supernova of pai

shing weight was on my back and legs. Dust filled my lungs, mak

s bu

faint and muffled,

down there!" a man shou

bring one up at a time before it colla

cene above. Then, I heard Blak

f there. Get E

d, illogical surge of hope flooded through me. Maybe, when fac

s voice, a hysterical shri

om you! It' s a symbol of our love! If that dog dies,

d for an eternity. The unstable debris above me

strained, heavy, but his words were clear a

the