leeping with my husband. We're not in the fil

ng's too perfect. Polished surfaces, expensive art, that ridiculous view of Central

Derek and I used to eat breakfast together. Only two days ago, we were laughing over coffee, now staring at each ot

ool. I got a generous payout. One that is barely enough for a year's rent in Manhattan. The cars? His. The artwork? His. Venus t

aid flatly. "You have thirty days to leave. He's a

That version of Giselle was gone. This version was cold, focused, done

t mattered. Some clothes, old books, photos of my parents, very important. The rest? Contaminated wit

the betrayal, the shame. I moved through th

s Lilith. Please, let

the nerve to come here? After everything? I almos

door. I stood in the living room, back to the entrance,

ew feet behind me. Her perfume filled the air, Femme aura. I used to love i

mbling like some heartbroken actress. "

five minutes. Talk fast

"Don't be like that. I came to se

ped me. Finally, I

with just the right smudge under her eyes. A performance. But

anniversary? That's a new definition of love, Lilith. Now your def

. you know he was lonely. You were always so bus

erek never complained to me his ex-wife that he was lonely

for it to happen. We tried to fight

object. But now I know. After our parents passed, I took you in. Your dad left nothing but piles of debt incurred by your mom. I should have let t

tears slowed. Something me

u have no idea what

. I gave you a home, helped you through school, brought you into m

safe choice until he found someone who really understood him? S

You think you understand him?" I said. "You understand his money. His power.

ade sure of that. You signed it all away. He's

t. I stepped closer, slow and steady, until

? He's a snake. And snakes bite everyone.

're just bitter. That I'm f

istress and a home wrecker." I said calmly.

ed a bro

past her, toward the hallway. "Get out

listened to the sharp sound o

hollow this time. It was full of purpose. Lilith's little mon

left. Debris, she'd called it. But debris can rebuild. It c

ulled out a card. Plain yet h

behind that message? Someone I used to comp

wanted a war? Fine. But this