Fractured Love

hythm for Nick, one that combined the comfort of routine with the sweetness of ritual. He loved them; the laughter, the hurried calls from Noel for Mason to tuck in his shirt.

ightened the knot of his tie. Noel and Mason had finally wandered into the living

dark hair pulled back neatly. Mason, lanky and restless at ten years old, fiddl

have to wear this tie? Nobody else

usting his own tie deli

ason. It shows respect

", Mason muttered

her tone brisk but soft. She was smoothing Maire's curls, coaxing them into place with practised han

dn't believe it. A thriving architecture firm, a beautiful home tucked into one of Toronto's su

meet his friends, Maire clinging shyly to Noel's side, people would look, as they always did. The Elbas were admired, even envied, for ho

e", he said, reaching for the ca

*

t until Maire scolded him with the righteous indignation only a little sister could muste

blues. They smiled at people and friends they knew as they made their way to their usual sea

with words of faith, and he thought, not for the first time, how lucky he was. She had always been steady, dependable, his anchor and yet, so

d to Nick's cousin, with large sprawling lawns and towering maples that framed the grand house. Long tables were set up in the garden filled with differen

d in effortlessly, gracious with her compliments, attentive to every child who tugged at her dress. Mason joined a soccer gam

ies who stopped him, all the while keeping one eye on his wife. He loved the way she

Bella had a reputation for sharp words delivered with a laugh, the kind of woman who said exactly what others were

Elba family!" she crowe

r was. And Noel, my dear, you look like you stepped

litely, murmur

n, ruffling the boy's hair

ing so fast. And good heavens, doesn'

om the catering van. Nick's eyes flickered from Bella to Joe, then to Noel. He noticed, for the first time, the wa

h, Bella, you always s

e said, and there were murmurs of agreement and laughter from all aro

om of a pond. He forced a laugh, playing along, but inside his mind whirr

his eyes, his laugh ringing through the air, Nick felt the stone settle deeper. Ma

mischief, nothing more. But when his gaze drifted back to Noel, he saw her laughing at something a cousin had said, and h

*

ering over wine. But Nick could not shake the quiet unease. He moved through the motions, smiling, laughing and en

d the curve of his jaw. He glanced at Mason again, chasing the ball across the lawn, cheeks flushed with exertion. The

es bright with joy. All this time, she had been everything he'd ever wanted: devoted, loyal, steady and yet, as

fe he had painted so carefully was