head. He burst through the door, calling my name, the picture of a worried husband. But I knew better. His pa

ng room, curled on the sofa, a damp cloth on my forehead. I had met

, my voice weak. "Felt like the room was spinning

alien, cold. "You frightened me, love. You know how important your health is. Especially now." He smoothed my hair, his e

ss of the campaign, I suppose. It's all getting to me." I let a t

or me. For us. Let me get you some soup. You haven't eaten properly all day." He

e, so outwardly normal, was a cruel parody of our life. He was a master illusionist, and I had been h

ater, and a few crackers. "Here you go, my love. Something light. And then you need to rest." He s

e warm broth tasteless in my mouth. Every fiber of my being screamed to push it awa

my voice still weak. "I th

tudying, I imagine. Big test coming up soon." He cleared his thro

ng to believe him.

't want to seem unreliable, do we?" He smiled, that perfect, charming smile. "You rest, my dear. I'll be back down

oing to call Kalie. I knew it. He would reassure her, tell her I was "f

ng no sound on the plush carpet. The door was ajar. I heard hi

rstand." His voice was laced with a patronizing tone that turned my stomach. "No, no, she's fine. Just seeking attention. Always

ing me, ridiculing me to his mistress. The wife who had built his career, managed

nd clear, from her bedroom down the ha

e. "Just your mother being dramatic, sweetie.

a casual indifference that pierced me deeper

ickened around me. I leaned against the doorfra

nt campaign work, you know. She's invaluable. So much more efficient than... well, than some people." He paused, a

ppointment in her voice. "She's so cool. And so sma

rds hung in the

ly preferring his mistress to me, validating his betrayal. She didn't just know; she approved. She saw

nd. "Kalie understands vision. She understands ambition. She

ys talking about 'integrity' and 'ethics.' Kalie says you have to be

he past." "Doesn't get it anymore." My own values, the very principles I had instilled in he

l whisper. "Always worried about what people will think. It stifles innovation. It stifles... us

believes in your vision, Dad. Someone who's not afraid to push boundaries. Someone who's not..

was being squeezed in a vice. The world spun again, but this time, it was fro

"Kalie would make a great first lady. She's young, energet

ily, in my role. The world went silent, then roared back to life, a cacophony of sound. My head th

foot catching on the

ilton's voice,

ace them. Not now. Not like this. I had to

ed with a vengeance. "Just a little dizzy again," I called out, my voice strained, but

face a mask of concern. "Caroline, are you sure? Do you want me

mediately softened my tone. "No, I just... I need some quiet. I ju

genuine health crisis or another "episode." But the campaign, his preci

hat big election-eve rally coming up in a few days. You'll need to be at your best. You're introduci

hisper. A massive, televised event. A stadium full of supporters.

throat. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." I even let a few tears escape, allowing him to think they were tears of weakness, of fea

e. I flinched internally, but held my ground. "Just tell m

y shifted my weight, making it impossible for him to pull me closer without seeming aggressiv

e other room, his footsteps light, confident. He thought he ha

ed-rimmed and swollen, met my own gaze. The woman staring back was no longer the loving wife, the doting mother. She was a stranger, stripp

ld burn his world to the ground. That was where I would reclai

his wasn't just revenge. This was