sa

eginning, etched into every stolen glance, every hurried touch, every casual dismissal of my feelings

he popular cheerleader, he the star athlete. They were inseparable, the golden couple. I was just Alisa Battle, the quiet girl who watched him from afar, har

bright for years. Until it didn't. Bria, always restless, always chasing the next thrill, had left to

ering a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on. I saw his pain, and in

voice thick with sorrow and longing. He rambled, slurred Bria' s na

mbling for mine, his breath hot on m

had loved him for so long, succumbed. I allowed myself to be kissed, allowed myself to be held, allowed myself to belie

lpable. He pulled away from me, his eyes wide w

shouldn' t have..." He couldn't even finish

ut I swallowed it, just as I had

turned upside down. I was

eart was never in it. Our marriage was a hollow shell, filled with his polite indifference

iety, using it as a weapon, a shield, and a tool for manipulation. Jonas, ever the white knight for h

citing. She bought him gifts, took him to places I said were too dangerous. She encouraged

Jonas, to explain h

his eyes distant. "She needs support.

That was alw

subtle encouragement, becam

eyes narrow, mimicking Bria' s critical gaze. "Au

an once, especially after Bria had soothed him through

a dagger to my heart. But now, amidst the dust and rubbl

sion flickered, the edges darkening. I felt lightheaded, dizzy, my body trembling uncontrolla

ing darkness, but my arms were useless, heavy, unresponsive. I fell, a pat

ft my head. The raw, burning sensation in my lungs was getting worse. My vision was fading in and

rayed. Unloved. The darkness bec