A Second Chance To Save Our Lives

' s words were a death sentence: "Severe negl

coach Julian Maynard, didn't mou

sted her death into a tragedy about mental he

tormented her, the same boy he brought

, a final, violent release

How could the man I loved build his legacy on th

he table, his signature a stark black stain. It was

pte

ie

y ex-husband' s signature already a stark, black stain against

remble when I pi

a low rumble. "Mr. Maynard is offering a very generous settlement. Alimony, the house,

ly thing I want from Juli

omen fighting over money, not for a c

his brow furrowed. "No financial compens

"Absolutely. I don' t want a single

carry the weight of his surprise. "Very well,

a resolve forged in fire and tears. It

ed, pushing the sig

ickly composed herself. Her initial shock, however, was clearly visi

ur to Mr. Harrison as I stood to leave

No. Des

ndifferent faces rushing past-it all felt too loud, too bright. I shielded my eyes against the harsh afternoon s

hurned. I ne

ammered against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a

s fumbling with the coins. T

as I remembered. Years before.

Guru Forgives All." Underneath, a photo of Julian, his perfect smile radiati

low sound. Forgive all?

ling, all while my ashes were still cooling. A public spectacle designed to enhanc

e was a performance, a meticulously crafted illusion. It was always ab

om

rway of the house-our house, for now. She was wearing the faded blue dress, the one I had tried to mend so many times.

y superhero logo emblazoned across it. He was a few years older than Jodie, taller,

. A flicker of longing, quickly masked by resignation, c

emerged, dressed in a silk robe, a satisfied smirk playing on her

liberately dropped his toy, letting it clat

the future, her small body bruised and broken, flashed

the guise of "building a blended family," of teaching Jodie "resilience." It was all a tw

k of the growth! Jodie will learn so much about sharing, about comp

o desperate for him to see me, to see Jodie. I had sw

rryl. Her favorite toys, "shared" until they were broken or simply vanished. Her clothes, always t

ed balloon and for her daddy to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Julia

y soul. The next day, she woke up with a fever. Julian, when I finally reached hi

e her identity in his twisted narrative. He had even framed her for cyberbullyin

en, th

ctor' s words echoing in my ears: "Severe negl

y deepest condolences to Kylie. Jodie was a challenging child, but I always believ

fault. Made it my fault for n

ed me, a final, violent release from a life of silent suffering. And Julian, ever the grie

This time it wo

ed with dirt, her eyes still holding that

My sweet girl, you have no

d, my voice hoarse

sound. "Fixed what? Your broken

redatory glint in them. "Julian, dear, Kylie' s home

didn't quite reach his eyes. "Kylie, darling. How was your... appoint

id, my voice steady, betraying none

r, looked from me to Julian, then at Darr

nto a tight hug. "Jodie, re

e. "If Daddy doesn't come to my p

No, baby. That' s no

nts you again, we leave. Remember?"

on Darryl, who had now started dismantling

car pulled into the driveway. Julia

e, beautifully wrapped gift. "Julian, darling! Look what I found for Darryl!

ted towards the gift. Darryl, seeing her lo

as a top-of-the-line drone, small but clearly expensive. He

then handed Fanny the scarf. "You look absolutely divin

he silk around her neck.

ers hunched further. The hope in her eyes died,

her voice cracking, "I

med, harder than before. Not t

ng Jodie closer.

barely registered my words. "Leaving for where,

y voice low and steady. "Jodie a

ps genuine surprise, in his eyes. "Kylie, you can't ju

her face. "Julian's right, Kylie. You'

voice laced with a cold