nce

inside with my new husband. I clutched the marriage certificate in my

ar across the glass as we moved. None of it felt real

Instead, he held out a brand-new, sleek

reen lit up, showing a sin

sba

of my ears. I quickly keyed in my number, my finge

ath. It was time to sta

ng for a long time. When he finally answered, the background was fill

mpatient, annoyed. "What new dr

rp jab to my already bruised heart. But a

I'm calling to officially inform you, for t

already? Just stop with the theatrics and come back." He was so certain

. I didn't say

number. The series of taps on t

avy presence in the car. When I looked up, I saw a flicker

ll was to

blind date you arranged.Now, I want back what is rightfully mine, th

was profound. I could almost picture he

inally came, sharp and shrill. "The Serap

ent of the shares are to be transferred to me upon my twenty-third birthday.You've been hiding

o the phone with a threatening tone, "Or sh

inning rapidly, her mind racing with calculations;

out, the word dripping w

xhaustion wash over me. It fel

gliding silently into the flow of traffic

se. "Take me to my... to the apartment I

ury apartment building Karter ha

out, Kane's voice s

lack credit card. "No limit. As my 'pa

symbol of this bizarre new reality. My pride bristled, but

rmured, my voice

looking back, I walked into the build