From Gilded Cage To Unchained Queen

Barnet

sive, echoing through the hollowed-out space. He walked in,

ile, to play my part, but my lips

ed. "Pack your remaining belongin

hitched. "

the most natural thing in the world. "She pref

r temporary, was gone. I was being evi

"Okay." The word t

e in his eyes. "I'll arrange for a generous sev

lsewhere. His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, a fain

money. No more of your control. I would

e untouched by the renovation. My few remaining items.

the covered furniture, the ghosts of our transactional

y from the gilded cage, from the empty promises, fro

PhD candidates, faculty meetings, late nights in the

, beamed. "I've never seen such meticulous work. We'd love for you to stay o

lace. "But I've accepted a fellowship back home. Fi

for science. I wish you all the best." He turned to a new student. "Ah, Arie

as the one who had also been offered a

ace, intelligent eyes. I wonde

events swirling in my mind. I was s

e. Christopher. My heart hamme

ighter. He was leaning against his car

to a bone-crushing hug. His breath

" I asked, pushing him gent

incoherently,

his car. "To the penthouse," I

dragged him into the bedroom, settling him on the be

ll clouded with intoxication, found mine. He pulled me down, his

is was... tender. My heart ached, a painful twist. I wanted t

ng to him, a desperate hope fluttering in my

peaceful slumber. I lay there, my

dside table. A notification flashed. A text messag

e. Our little game is working perfectly. She's completely

rutal precision. My stomach lurched. O