When Love Turns To Toxic Abuse

who swore he'd always protect me from my cruel sister,

in our bed, tan

egnant with his child. He chose her, letting her mo

hand, shattering the bones and ending my career,

nd sided with the woman he knew had tormented me my ent

que, a celebrated power couple ready to offer m

man who was about to expose every la

pte

a P

and almost too innocent, fixed on me across the polished display of a vintage Chanel suit. She loo

hter. It was a familiar weight, a reminder

y voice steady, professional. It wa

r ran through her perfectly manicured hand. "Elia?" sh

tting the words hang in the air. "A

so bitter." Her voice took on that soft, wounded quality she p

n eyebrow, waiting. She always played the victim, alwa

er, towards the entrance

istian. Head turning, eyes searching, until they landed on me. His fa

my gut. It was a name he hadn't spoken in fiv

n who had been my childhood sweetheart, my husband, was now just a client, a stranger

"Where have you been, Elia? I looked for you." His voice was rough, ed

," I retorted, the words sharp,

ether for so long, Elia.

voice flat. "Long enough for you to make your choice. We are

looked... defeated. But it

if you're not here for business, I'll have to ask you to leave."

andbags, jewelry, and a silk robe. The very same robe, I vaguely remember

me memory flashe

hung heavy in the air. I remembered bursting throug

e flushed, triumph shining in her eyes. "Look, Elia!" she'd shrieked, holding

attention she believed my talent stole from her. It started

tched my face crumple. "He cares about me, Eli

He never loved you, Elia. Not really. He just felt

e items, once symbols of a stolen affair, were now casually brought into my shop, symbols of th

ling. They thought I was