ic. The bouquet of roses lay scattered and trampled on

d to go home. I had to face him and act like nothing had happened. The plan forming in my mind re

y felt like a prison. I walked through the rooms he had decorated, touching the furniture he

glass of water with a shaking

called out, his voice f

my ski

another voice, high and

ovely. But it feels a little

beautiful, polished, and radiated an effortless confidence that I had

down, a small, know

i. You look

w. She knew about my latest failure, becau

voice surprisingly eve

dismissive hand. "Ethan and I were celebrating. My new

small, framed photo of my parents. She picked it

tone a mockery of sympathy. "And to their company. You' ve

ect, so cruel, it alm

photo. "Please do

aunted, holding it just out of my reac

her fingers. It hit the tiled floor with a sickening crack, the glass shattering

she' d brought in with her. The scalding liquid splashed across my fo

y!" Sarah gasped, her ey

n at the sound

ed, his eyes immediately goi

voice trembling. "But I think

and then to the shattered picture frame on the floor. A flicke

ight?" He reached for my

I said throug

ice taking on a placating tone. "Sarah di

tantrum over a broken toy. He didn' t

y voice dangerously quie

ind a cold, clear void. I accepted his pathetic excuse, I played

said, dabbing at her eyes with a

l get Olivia some ice for her arm, and w

e, after she had deliberately hurt me an

thing but a profound, chilling disgust. I nodded meekly, allo

, I passed by the living room. I

an asked, his voice laced with irr

e was cold and sharp. "She' s getting too comfortable. Don' t

ful until after your launch. Once your company

ckles white. I didn' t need any more conf

I reached our bedroom, I walked directly to my

name I hadn' t used in years: my old law school roomm

ct line w

ellectual Pro

nge had