From Blame to Beloved

ater. His voice was business-like, as if he were coordinating a delivery. "Clothes

only word I seemed capabl

by this afternoon to pick the

say, surprising even

her end of the line. "Fine.

y decorated in shades of grey and cream, hoping the serene colors w

ed in the closet. I packed her designer clothes into suitcases, folded her sweaters, and gathered her collection o

Liam & Ava. Inside, we were smiling, but our eyes didn't connect. He was looking just past the ca

ll rang. Liam stood on the doorstep, l

oxes ready

hall," I said, p

ng the air. It was the same scent he wore on our wedding da

t all?"

looking at me. He was

I call

to me, his hand on the do

I whispered

il it was just a speck in the distance. I went back to my study and pulled

te a song

his favori

e him a

axwell Corp s

im one l

line through the last item. A sense of

rmance of happy families that only highlighted how broken mine was. I had considered not going, b

y there, standing by the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in his h

and on his arm. And next to her, looking radiant in a cre

. All eyes were on me, then at Liam, the

dn't acknowledge me. It was Eleanor who spoke, h

greet me. "As you can see, we have a guest of honor tonig

harine smile. "Ava. I'm so

t with a knife. Liam finally spoke, his voice

me. He put his arm around Chloe's shoulders, pulling her close. "Chloe and I are back togethe

tched in my throat. He was announcing it here, in front of everyone

with my eyes for him to sto

were completely, utterly devoid of wa

rip on Chloe tightening. "This is what should have happe

I stood there, frozen, as the world I had tried so de