upposed to be our sanctuary, a piece of living beauty amidst the steel and glass of the city. He' d filled it with 'Eleanor' s Blush,'

wasn' t just from the air, it was seeping out from inside me, a deep, internal frost that had taken root in my soul. I

is mother' s, and found the one person I could trust. Chloe. My best friend since college. She was the opposite of me

irst ring. "El? What

Chlo," I said, my v

e had never fully trusted David' s perfect husband act. She always said he was

me began to fall, hot and sile

and his mother. The names, the ages of the boys. With every word I spoke, the truth became more real,

hear her breathing on the other end of the line. When she f

ing to ki

rief. "That' s too easy. I don' t want to destroy him

move out? I' ll help you pack. We c

wild and terrifying, began to form in my mind. "He would never let me go. He' d find me. He' d use his mon

are you tal

ds came out clear and steady. "An accident. Out on the

, a public scandal, a life spent looking over my shoulder-was unthinkable. I couldn't endure his

ce firm. "Okay, El. If that' s what

h a huge bouquet of roses-not the special 'Eleanor' s Blush,' but generic red

much," he murmu

ly, standing on a balcony overlooking the Amalfi Coast. He' d held me just like this and whispered th

I replied, the lie

w I' ve been working too much. I promise, after this quarter, thi

s his unwilling audience. I just nodde

e after a "business trip." A guilt offering. He led me into our favori

t you' d love," he said,

A delicate platinum chain with a single, flawless diamon

ning with false sincerity. "A little somethi

David," I sai

e clerk take it out, and he fastened it around my neck. The cold metal touched my skin. He s

The successful husband bestowing

hands on my shoulders felt like a lead weight. I s

said, kissing my tem

ile. "Thank

deck of a boat, the wind in my hair, watching this