na's

walk toward a local pharmacy when

text from

gs look this ugly? Leaving the n

ome back, do not expect me

e into my pocket, and pushed open th

a bottle of cheap painkillers for the thr

e counter and handed the cashi

a harsh, discordant

said, barely looking at

ightening in my stomach.

same harsh beep echoed

ne, I quickly open

account linked to the

m Lorenzo popped

pendent woman? Fund your o

t me with the join

g him no explanation, nor did

the Grace Period. Ex

e estate, nor had I asked

the group chat that I was waiti

mother's jewelry and personal items were still

grand living room, I st

the friends who had participated

jewelry wai

room was a massive projector screen, fine wine,

, smiling as he asked me to watch the

fake severance decree to shreds, while Lore

side Lorenzo, asking if she could be the new Donna

vere panic attack while Lorenzo's Fi

ewing the footage l

s I broke down each year, guessing which

his eyes fixe

me to lose contro

only then did he speak, his

cting well

d at least cry and ask

even save

"Are the vide

ield, he pressed the remote and s

so much you lost your dignity, and that you voluntarily part

laratio

y, and I voluntarily participated in the

ed in my marriage, nor has

simply because I cannot

de him, offering a sickeningl

ena really took the

t let out a

ave, she wouldn't care so m

e she is waiting for me to c

ature line at the bott

gn

dn't afford to lose, and