Shattered Vows: No Second Chances

ya

ask any more questions. I hun

ystematically stripping the shelves

e cashmere scarves. The earri

all into a

cklace from the counter and

ith a dull,

wedding photo on

e like I was the only

lie. A perfect performa

ame and flipped it over. I cou

to the closet and s

the front d

? I'm

was cheerful.

g room, wielding a massi

cable. Not a ha

," he said, holdin

oser, leaning

, letting his li

his expensive cologne, the fa

s sc

putting vital di

ired,"

ed it quickly. He set the

by. I'm sor

d into hi

e said, pulling out a slip of pape

ded it

. A blank chec

said, smiling that charming

d at th

ecklace because he'd a

y silence with

you,"

smile. I

eck and shoved

his tie. He lo

buzzed in

anced at the screen,

y backing away. "Emergency at t

niversary?

ave to handle this. I

of my head and r

ched

his keys, his phone

a wareho

contact p

oor s

e of the "romantic ni

n't co

call. He d

bed, waiting for the tear

ull, cramping pain

nausea rol

retched into the sink un

mirror. My face was ghos

, I drove myself

ing room, surrounded b

tterly i

or calle

smiled as she lo

ein," she said. "W

me a piec

tions. You'

rld st

conditioner faded int

the word.

e bile ri

ba

's b

s would have b

felt like

trasound photo in t

Are you okay?"

the paper

e," I wh

e hospital into th

hand resting on

A tiny h

ouse and went strai

nd pulled out the suitcase

ng. Not his gif

ed my d

e closet

full of sui

e was

elf in the full

strong," I tol

voice

my stoma

ge to fix us. It was th