d out, and the California sun felt foreign, too bright on my face. The air was fresh, a stark contrast to the rec

about to marry the man I loved, Mark. He was my partner, my fiancé, my legal advisor. We were a power coupl

and testified against me. His words, calm and convincing, sealed my fate. His sister, Clara, had whispered poison in his ear, "Ava

the same, but different. More powerful. His suit was tailored perfectly, his hair styled without a single strand ou

oice a smooth, practi

s of my ill-fitting jacket. I didn't want to see him. I d

ing me, a scent I once associated with love and no

e," I said, my voic

. "Our home." He reached for my arm, a casual gesture

nto the darkness. The touch felt like a threat, like the hands of guards pushing me into a cell, the sound of a locking d