via announced her pos

o recover properly," she

itcase. Max, the baby with the birthm

ss retreat. The one in the mo

asked, my v

false smile plastered on her face. "It's a perfect cha

adn't mentioned her again after tha

Susan had n

ax, a cold knot in my stom

ty, felt vast and empty, even wit

the public hum

ted on soc

beaming, still wearing the wedding ring I' d p

My world. My w

My woman

ere like ha

agues from my restaurant, acqua

did you

alright with

ough the city' s tight-knit culinar

olded husband.

raw, open wound. The betrayal

this. Pub

son, my only anchor

ny fists clenched in slee

he hadn't just betrayed me; she was

t was a calculated act of cruelty, a way to

lone, adrift in

y stage, now fel

very whispered comment, was

f her. And she was celebrati

that photo, my ring, felt