Stanle

ched, watching me. I took the children to the kitten room, immersing myself in the sof

," he hissed, pulling me towards a deserted storage closet. He shoved me inside, the door swinging shut behind

his eyes blazing. "What the hell was that, Kace

. "No game, Howard. Just the truth. You and Anais. It's

ou think you can just embarrass me in public, in front of those people?" He reached out, pulling me

e' d maintain a polite, professional distance. I was the CEO' s wife, a prop for his image. But behind cl

researched extensively. He' d cut me off mid-sentence, his voice sharp, telling me to "stick to what you know, Kac

king. My mind replayed the image of him kissing Anais, her hand on his arm, her 'luc

ched. I gagged, pulling away from him abruptly, stumbling

"Kacey?" he whispered, his voice laced wi

hand. My voice was raspy, but firm. "That, Howard, is

d, slamming his fist into the metal shelving beside me. The clang ec

ns, after the forced smiles and congratulations, he' d taken me aside. "Don't ever embarrass me, Kacey," he' d said, his voice co

"deal." I simply nodded. "Yes, Howard. We had a dea

, Howard's gone completely off the rails. He's drunk, making a

sober up," I said, my voice flat. "He'll be fine.

fragmented dreams of matcha mochi and green hair ties. Aroun

y bed, his breath reeking of alcohol. He

ears. "Why are you doing this to me? Why wo

" I asked, quoting his own words back to him. "You

do care. I swear. I'll... I'll break it off with Anais. I'll fire her.

heart, my soul, my very essence into this marriage, into him. I' d given up my career, my passions, my friends, my identity. I had tried to be the perfect wi

ike a cruel joke. It was t