Jilted Bride, Shattered Illusion

with unspoken words. Julianne stared out the window, her face a pale, em

ce, his voice low and hesi

n't loo

ad a... a bad experience a few years ago. Crowds, sirens.

entful tone of a kept man, nor the confident tone of an artist. It w

ctly. Cayla was his real concern. She was just his be

e she was very frightened." She felt a flicker of dark amusemen

hung in the ai

his guilt turning to anger. "It's

led his devotion to Cayla. And wha

, tired of the lies. She just wanted it to be over

out of the car, his touch surprisingly gentle. He guide

ss. His movements were deft and focused, the way a painter's hands would be. It

hone rang, shatt

was Cayla. His expression imm

screen. She felt nothing but

aid, her voice flat. "

dinner tonight. To talk before the... before

rius," she said, a strange, almost cruel s

. He had expected accusations, anger, tears. This

e said, waving a dis

xture of relief and confus

ack later,

she replied, not

ithout an

door. She didn't ask where h

ankle. It was a clean, physical pain. It was so much