a Stei

med relieved, a flicker of surprised gratitude in his eyes. He must have expec

g. He was so excited, so innocent. He didn't understand the dagger he was twisting

amily was celebrating another woman's feigned illness. My husband was renewing his vows with my

ne in his voice. "Just to lift Isabell's spirits. You know, give her something to

is eyes shifted, unable to meet mine for long. Guilt. It was there, a faint

I were the only woman in the world. Where had that man gone? Had he ever truly existed, or

elegant, marketable solutions. We were a team. A force. But even then, I had been working to prove myself, to earn the approval of my parents, who always seemed to prefer Isabell' s compliant nature over my independent s

e anger, the rage that had simmered for so long, began to fade, replaced by a profound, chilling numbness. What wa

who had been subtly poisoned against his own mother, taught that my exhaustion from illness and my dedication to work were neglect.

to agree. He wanted the path of least resistance. He always did. It was easier for him

by Jaret' s excited fidgeting. I closed my eyes, a si

ee. I will be there. Happy for you both." The last three words were a lie, a

by my compliance. "Alondra, thank you. You're being very under

wrapping around my waist, his head pressed against my stomach. I held him, tears stinging my eyes, knowing this might be

en more. I was a ghost already, h

regaining its usual cheerfulness. "Isabell will be thrilled to hea

ring threads of my life. My last will and testament, ensuring that the small, personal keepsakes I cherished would go to p

er did, not when it came to anything that required actual effort or unde

sed, my voice flat

both looking excited for their visit to the hos

, pulling out a small, worn box. Inside were letters from Ingrid, my estranged best friend, from years ago. Warnings about Hugo, abou

urnal, a few old photos of Ingrid and me, and a tiny, faded teddy bear from my childhood. I sealed the box, wrot

e life that was now being stolen. The walls, the furniture, the me

familiar streets, the neatly trimmed hedges, the glowing lampposts – I drank it all in. This was the last time. The l

of death for others. For me, it would be both. The end of one life, and perhaps, the beginning of nothingness. I p