long I floated
g. But slowly, the darkness began to fade. A violent
g agony in my side that stole my breath. I groan
d my ey
thick wool blanket was tucked up to my chin. The air smelled of old books, dust, and strong chamo
into me, and the pain in my ribs flared white-h
You cracked three rib
n sitting in a rocking chair a few feet away. She had silver hair pulled
" I croaked.
knees cracking, and walked over to the couch. "This is
ights
lking by the water. I saw your body wash up against the rocks. I thought you were a corpse
ake me to a hospi
hen I dragged you out of the water, I saw the car. It was still half-submerged. I s
t me like a
I was back in the water. Freezing, black, suffocating
st the water. It
image of a sliver of light spilling from a slightly open door, and the sound of my husband's vo
ctoria's red dress hiked up to her thighs, her smirk as she looked me up a
eld, the hot tears streaming down my face, the sudden violent impact of metal slamming in
e image that st
rain. His hands in his pockets. Watchi
own my cheeks, soaking into the pillow. My chest heaved, the sobs mixing with the
e breaking. "My husband... he cut my brakes.
She didn't try to tell me to calm down. She just reached o
. If whoever did this to you was looking for you, a hospital would be the first place they'd
raw. I cried for the five years I had wasted on a monster. I cried for t
wed. The heavy, suffocating g
swollen. "Why are you helping me? Yo
he looked at the wall, where a faded p
per. "She was in a bad situation. She tried to reach out for help. But she was ignored. Th
her eyes burning with
ve someone else. I don't know you. I don't know what kind of person you are. But I know what it
pounding against my ribs.
ed to know what the world
pered. "Can you
om the coffee table and turned on the sm
. A reporter was standing ou
s wife, Lily Vance, died in a tragic car accident on the Iron Bridge two nights ago. Julian Va
on the steps of the mansion, holding a tissue to his eye, loo
he light o
hest vanished, replaced by something cold and heavy. It
to mourn me, while he spent my m
I said slowly, my vo
If he thinks you're dead, he won't be looking for you. You c
screen one last time. I loo
hands that had cooked his dinners, held his arm a
d as the river water that had tried to kill
ed my hand. "I'll help you. I
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