Shattered Proposal, Unexpected Bride

s after midnight. Sarah walked in, humming a cheerful

oice bright and completely normal. As

came over to hug me. I flinched, and she

ed, her brow furrowed i

ng, thin box. "I g

e most loyal man I know," she said, trying to be c

away. "Look, Ethan, about tonight..

ent. I just

al whisper. "Mark's father is on the board. The promotion for Senior Architect is co

I was hearing. She was i

m. It's a career play, Ethan. You hav

fying, even to myself. There was no anger,

While you're engaged to anothe

probably expected tears, begging, a

show. I'll be moving in with him for a little while, to kee

ce, her hand soft. "Just be pa

ay from her

ped. "What do

s Mark's. The same scent he always wore at the office. And it was on her

f nausea

pulled my suitcase from the top of the clo

he asked, following me.

ith gifts she'd given me over the years. A watch for our first anniversary. A pair

o the living room, and dumped the

You're being chil

ished packing. One suitcase was al

" I said, finally looking at her. "But I n

uitcase and walke

u dare walk out on me! After

sp. "Don't touch me," I said, my

was leaving everything behind. Her, the apartment, t