deception. David played the part of th

ooked my favorite meals. He left l

rcoming a small misunderstanding. But to me, every

e, accepting his apologies, reassured by his affectio

a spectator watchi

nced he was taking me

id, beaming. "Just the two of us. I wan

staurant with a view of the entire city. It was our s

t him lead me to the table, the city lights t

hampagne glass. "To ten years o

gainst his, the soun

d into his pocket. "I h

atinum chain with a single, intricately designed pendant. It was a stylized wo

s eyes shining with pride. "So you

would have cried with happines

und my neck. "It's beau

rang. He glanced at the screen, and a flicker of ann

e to take this. It's Emily.

as saying, but I could see his posture. He was leaning forward, his voice low a

. When he came back, his face wa

. she's not feeling well. She thinks it might be something seri

s so flimsy,

my voice even. "Go.

cene. "Thank you for understanding. You're

d rushed off, leaving me alone at the table with our h

e empty chair opposite me. The "Love-ly" n

around the pendant, the delicate chain snapped. T

almos

A message from

t. It was

me style as my necklace. It spelled out "Love-ly" in David's handwriting. Next to the wris

dashboard. My car. The one

ble and cruel, was staring me in the face. A matching set. One f

ear escaped and rolled down my cheek. Then another. Soon, I was crying,

y. The sheer, calculated cruelty of it all. He

ntually, a waiter came over, his face

re returning like a mask. "I'm fine. Jus

he bill

was dark and empty. I wen

he room, thinking I was asleep. He smelled o

ed, seeing me sitti

ked, my voice devo

a bit of a panic attack. I took her to the hospita

ched with fake exhaustion and guilt. "I'm so

stranger who had share

quietly. "Do you

ears instantly. The pe

ah," he choked out. "You are the only

owly. "I lo

ed like ash

hinking," he said, his voice soft. "We've been talking abou

further, shattered into a million tiny piec

ng right through him, "t

he had won. He thought he had everything. His wife, his mi

t in that moment,