rom the floor, clutching his arm. "She is just

painting Dessie as unstable and violent while

ent throug

believe sh

o quiet. She must be

tively around her waist. He glared at Dessie. "

He had leaned across the table, his hand covering hers, and whispered, 'It will always be you and me, Dessie. Our secret against the world.' The man

g, her eyes wide and tearful. "Craig, honey, she

ed at Dessie, his eyes filled with resentment, as if this whol

e colleagues. That is all. I do not know

re a calcula

d clear. "We have our marriage license. In fact, we are hosting

, the manager's word, against hers. He had documents,

till care for her, dissolved into ash. He did not just n

uspicion to a uniform mask of contempt. She

an to lead Chanel away, but stopped and turned

or today. And you will post it publicly. If you do not, I

ing among themselves. Dessie stood al

ho used to praise her brilliant mind now saw her as nothi

. It felt alien now. She was not sure why she came back. Perhaps a

there. He had cooked dinner

his tone gentle, as if the scene

air. He had publicly destroyed her, and now

f food in front of her. "I could not say anything at

ricting her breathing until each inhalation was a shallow, despera

ience. Her family has connections that are crucial fo

r, perhaps two. Once I am secure, I will divorce her and bring you to the city

d would never have asked her to endure this. He would not have

e being difficult. "Look, Chanel is going through a lot. S

week, of the apartment listings spread across their kitchen table, of his finger tracing the floor plan she preferred. The memory of that m