s Pers

ling-it was all the warmth I had tried to build. Cole had only ever offered a "looks good," yet he took it for granted, proudly labeling it all as "ours

d laughter drifted in, followed by Cole's low chu

ive black designer coat was draped casually over her arm. Not

a hot potato. "Oh, Cathy, I'm so sorry I used your things! Cole said you agreed, but I still feel bad a

to use the most innocent ton

Cathy, look, Giselle is fine now. You don't have t

nd I took a step

ence entering his voice. "What is

uch me. G

diculous! She needed comfort! This is o

n, gouge out my La Mer, and stain my designer coat without asking me at all? This is what

ations! She's been through a lot! You're just jealou

th, because you will always put

cts!" he yelled. "Do you have to ruin our

enjoy it. Last Christmas, you canceled our trip so you could listen to her cry about getting scammed online. On my birthday, her cat went missing, and you left me al

e twisting the facts! You are my girlfriend; she is just a f

who had been quietly watching t

here anymore. I'm causing trouble. I should just go. I'm sorry,

ng at me from across the room. "Look what you've done! You drove her away!" He turned back to gently console Giselle, then yelled at me, "Cathy,

the air. This was hi

a sense of release. He had ma

ed slightly. "F

Cole was still holding Giselle. She had her face buried in

y audible. "I knew she never liked me... Maybe i

ocking, cold smile my way. "She'll be back. She can't live witho

ls and work documents. Anything he had bought

an oppressive purple

in the living room, not giving them a single glance. I wal