He Thought I Would Silently Endure

Mort

open the heavy glass door, the cool, damp air a welcome shock to my senses. As I

ack Audi. B

e was opening the passenger door. Isabelle Humphrey emerged, a vision i

se in his eyes, no guilt. Just a flat, co

st thing I wanted was another scene. As I stepped off the curb to cross the s

nkle. I cried out, stumbling, my p

e impassive, as I struggled to regain m

ad just left. He walked right past me, his expensive cologne a phantom presence in the dam

om crying out as waves of pain pulsed from my ankle. It

café holding two steaming cups. He stro

nd impatient. He didn't ask if I was oka

said through gritted teeth,

f of his car, bent down, and swept me into his arms before I could resist

the driver's side. He handed me one of the cups. It was black coffee. His

and suffocating. In the back se

arsick," she said, her voice soft

e softening with a concern that made my stomach churn. "I forgot. Just like that t

murmured, and I could hear the sm

e club from which I was pointedly shut out. I felt like an intruder in

e. He' d told me it was his favorite place in the city, a quiet sanctuary. He' d kissed me for the first time under the sprawling fig

a sickening realization dawned. He hadn't shared his sanctuary with me. He had taken me to

okstore he frequented, the specific brand of wine he always ordered. Were any of those

ly overwhelming me. When I woke up, we were parked in the driv

it on purpose?" he asked, his voice low and accusato

sheer, unadulterated narcissis

f course. I intentionally injured myself on the off chance you' d deign to notice my

be ridi

nt to know what's ridiculous? Believing for one second that I need you. I was a dam

ntered his eyes. "I