News Flash Ex-husband, I'm Alive!

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lutched the edge of the examination table. The sterile room smelled of antiseptic and fain

gna

isposable, a toy he could break and discard at whim. She'd come to the clinic on a hunch

his infidelities, the bruises he left not just on her skin but o

noon light. The streets of the city buzzed with life, people hurrying home from work, ven

reach for her. She prayed for daylight to linger, for the safety of the crowds and the brightness that hid her

the Kennedy she'd met in college, charming and ambitious, with eyes that sparkled like poli

he endless parade of women. Now, at twenty-eight, she was a shadow of that girl,

: the acrid stink of spilled liquor, shattered glass from his latest outburst, his lates

. The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier's soft glow, every surface dusted and arranged with preci

er of her place. This was wrong, a setup for something sinister. Paranoia crept in, had he discovered her sec

ritual. Soft jazz floated down, romantic and wrong, the saxophone's wail twisting her gut. It wa

lee, hand grasp

The college boy she'd once adored stared back, not the monster with bloodshot eyes and a sneer. His da

enti

rom their early days, before the alcohol and affairs eroded him. She

nuckles slowly, his lips warm against her skin. The gestu

for you,

baited with her deepest longings. But his arms wrapped around her, warm and sure, his cologne a famil

e opened her mouth to protest, to demand answers, he kissed her, deep, tasting of wine and old promises. His tongue danc

t on her skin. "The affairs, the cruelty... a twisted test. To see

arching his face for lies. "You knew me back then, Kennedy. The real

ated myself for destroying the only person who ever loved me without conditions. T

d, could this be a turning point? A chance for redemption? Her hand instinctive

ale. Flickering flames cast golden shadows on the walls, petals crunched softly underfoot, r

ightly as they unbuttoned her blouse, he kissed her collarbone, h

man I married in college... is he back? Doubts swirled, but his touch

gue swirling in lazy circles. She gasped, her fingers thr

wnership. Heat pooled between her thighs, her b

e thick with emotion, his eyes dark

s, dipping inside her with expert precision. He was patient, watching her

.. our child cou

her, pushing away t

a wave, crying his name in a voice hoarse with need. He held her th

s erection pressing against her, eyes

apping him tight, pulling him

h controlled hunger, long strokes hitting every sensitive place inside her, building her again with deliberate

I dreamed of. The on

ched around him. He followed moments later, burying deep, spilling insi

he afterglow. He pulled her close, kissing her temple, her che

his chest. "I'm running you a bath. Roses

inutes later, she heard the water running, the scent o

und her like a lover's embrace. The tub brimmed, water shimm

nveloping her feet, then her

er toes to her fingertips. Her heart stuttered, slowed to a sluggish beat. Her lungs forgot how to pull

o haul herself out, but nothing obeyed. Muscles turned to stone, unresponsive. The "oils" were poison, paralytic, insidious,

teasing the edges of her mouth. She thrashed weakly, but it was

outh, turning each breath into a choke

t, the sound ominous

itches, her body betraying her utterly. The baby, oh God, the baby..

the water closing over her like

ago. Beside him, Lilith, his secretary, his mistress, wearing Valentina's favorite silk robe that

ounce of will. A trembling hand broke the surfac

ying rasp, bubbles forming on he

claiming her. He tilted his head slightly

tonight. Two lives for the price of one

perfume cloying over the roses, finge

ough for eye contact, possessive, triump

ntina's cheek, sharp enough

ce, everything locks in when your heart stops. And the little accident inside you?" Her