A New Dawn : Life After A Betrayal

of betrayal. She slammed the door behind her with a satisfying bang, the so

oom, the silence deafening. Her thoughts turned from revenge to the looming specter of

he whispered into the darkness. "I gave up everything for this life, and now I'm going to

she sacrificed her dreams on the altar of domesticity. "I used to have plans," she said

that got me. Dying alone with nothing to

leaving a salty trail on her skin. "Ma

ttire, she dressed herself in a sleek, black pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse. She styled

sound of her children's mouths hitting the floor. "M

my life," she declare

nto the kitchen, where her mother-in-la

th a saccharine sweetness that belied the steel beneath

hock on her face rivaling that of the chil

ns and headed towards the garage. She slipped into the sleek black sedan

rd glance, the sound of the tires crun

d everything else that's rightfully mine. It's tim

of the household was shattered by

nched into fists. "Dressed like some sort of harlot! And wha

is voice low and placating. "Mother, please. I think we need to be understanding

n nothing but trouble since the day she set foot in this house! And now she thinks she can

scaping his lips. "What do you suggest we do, the

in-law's ey

at the bustling city mall, wher

staurant. "Wow, girl! You look amazing," she exclaimed

is my newfound freedom. I'm done being a wallflower, Lind

g her glass in a mock

n treating herself to some well-deserved luxuries. She bought a gorgeous new

eye. The price tag was staggering, but Elizabeth simply smiled and pulled out the credit car

atching Elizabeth's shopping spree with

ft with concern. "This is a lot of money, even for you.

"Chris can deal with it," she said, her voice cool and confident.

should cut down you

d Chris had given her. But as she stood at the counter, preparing to pay fo

ked even more handsome than she remembered, w

yes locked with his. Then, as if waking f

aid, her voice

izabeth's arm and tilting her head towards

by Andrew's striking appearance, blinked in s

ent stride belying his concern for the

lighting up his handsome face. "I wasn't

ing in amazement. "Whoa, Elizabeth, you

stammered out an answer.

gaze flickering between her and Linda. "It was my

h, this is a total dreamboat! Are you sure you don't want to ca

exasperation, her cheeks still glowi

," Andrew replied, his smile growing

drew " you're welcome sir, I was not

you something to show gratitude for last night"

l the space around them. running a hand th

se. "Wow, that's impressive," she said

. " you can use my card

e the offer, but you need to understand - I'm in the midst of a... pers

in mock surrender, a misc

the conversation an

now" Elizabeth said and

hrough her veins. Her steps faltered, her balance wavering, and suddenly her knees gave ou