His Perfect Lie, My Shattered World

e Comb

hollow ache in my chest that felt like a physical wound. Just before dawn

heerful chatter from do

ed to the top of the grand, curving staircase

He was holding her, bridal style, as she laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

n, met mine. A flicker of triumph, cold and sharp, flashed in th

e you there." She tightened her grip on Emerson, a deliberate, possessive

uncomfortable in his eyes-guilt, perhaps, or just the annoyance of being

e still cradled in his arms. "Gisele' s doctors thought it would be best for he

've had a few things... adjusted

touch were fire. My gaze swept over the foyer, the li

le at her prime. The soft, cream-colored rugs had been swapped for opulent Persian ones in deep crimson, Gisele

house were being systematically dismantled. T

sele was being installed, not as a guest, but

was a picture of Emerson and me on a sun-drenched cliff in Santorini, his arms wrapped around me, my head thrown

umbled. The massive frame slipped from his grasp and cras

rge shard of glass had sliced directly across my smi

n. He remembered how much I loved that photo. He rememb

erson," she murmured from his arms, her voice l

ay," Emerson said to the movers,

ed over me. What was a broken picture when the

ry, my love," he said, his voice softening into that practic

y voice a silent scream in my h

ce. He gently set Gisele down in her wheelchair before tur

ed with a familiar, predatory gleam. She wheeled herself over to a large glass

" she asked, her voice

out and she pulled a small, hand-pain

ele, don't," I said, my voice sharp

el smile playing on her lips

I'm war

atrical shrug, and let the

or and exploded into

my mother and I had painted together in the hospital, just days before

arp, impossibly small fragments. A piece of porcelain sliced into my

tire of her chair grinding the largest rema

athetic, weak woman. Crying all the time. Just like you." She leaned closer, her eyes glittering

ars of suppressed rage erupted in a single, violent surge. I

her sprawling onto the f

crash. He didn't even look at me. He rushed to Gisele, scoop

ne, blazing with anger. Then he saw my tear-streaked face, the blood on my hand, th

y accident. I said I'd buy her a new one, but she just... she just exploded." She lifted her head, her eyes wide and pleading. "May

in my chest. I waited. Waited for him to see throug

to my silent, bleeding one. He sig

ce dismissive. "I'll buy you a dozen more. Gisele just woke up f

assionate to the woman who had just shattered the last piece of my mother's memory.

room for her. He wa

I finally did. I u

raspy and hollow. "You

e broken, can ne