son

in the sand, hoping I'd just disappear or fall back into my prescribed role of the hysterical wife. But the old Alliso

ith Kaia, of course, both of them radiating an artificial glow, surrounded by their sycophants. Kaia, surprisingly,

ple black gown was understated, elegant. I carried a sleek leather

aia, following his gaze, stiffen

king on the marble floor, each step a hammer

polite, when I reached their table

e. "Allison, what a surprise. You' re looking... well."

ing the portfolio. "I believ

, ran through me. He opened it, his eyes scanning the documents. The color slowly drained from his f

of joke, Allison? You think you can just... walk away an

sper, but loud enough for me to

ne." He turned to me, his voice dripping with disdain. "You know, Allison, Kaia will never be a threat to

Gabriel," I said, surprising him. "She' s not a threat. Because I' m givin

suspicion. "What are

me a cage. A burden I no longer wish to carry. I' m tired of b

e hardened. "You want out? After all these years? And you think you can jus

ed, blatant infidelity. With an employee. And in our state, that carries a significant penalty in asset division. Not to mention the

of red. He gripped the portfolio so tightly his kn

gally, ethically, and morally mine. And a little extra, for pain and suffering. For

ware of the eyes on him. His perfect image was crumbling. He knew

mpt to regain control. "This is a performance, A

ic taste in my mouth. He was a coward. A narcissist. A man so utterly

nt your money? Take it! But you' ll regret this, Allison. You' ll come crawling back. I' ll give you exactly

Gabriel," I said, taking the s

. He still thought I was bluffing, playing a

l of our shared ambition, now felt like a tomb. I walked out, into the

ion I' d shared with Gabriel, but the salty air and the sound of waves were a balm to my raw soul. Arnulf

was buzzing with excitement. "Aunt A

asked, smiling, enjoyi

ool, talking to the principal. She said she

fo's house, a quiet, unassuming neighborhood, far f

reparing dinner, while Bea was playing in the living room. I heard

before, a stark contrast to her public persona. Bea was on the floor, clutching her head, tears strea

stantly. My niece, my little Bea, was hurt. All the icy co

already shaking with a rage so potent it scared me

t pout. "Mrs. Kaufman! I... I just tripped! And Bea.

lison! She... she called you a bad name! She said you deserved everything that happened! A

. The sheer malic

riel stood there, looking from Kaia to Be

here?!" he roared, his eyes

"Gabriel! She... she attacked me! And Bea

utching her ear. Without a word, he strode over to her, his hand raised.

y, replaced by a choked whimper. Her eyes, wide with terror, star

animal sound tearing from my t

yes still burning with rage. "She deserved

our child, he had let die. And

as already swelling, red and bruised. A thin trickle of blood eme

ural sound tearing from my throat.

in in my own body. I ran towards the door, pus

you going?!" he ye

with his shin. He stumbled back, clutching his leg. "If anything happens to her,

lness a chilling weight. I wasn' t just leaving him this time. I was le