d his promises for years, clung to them like a lifeline. Now, I saw them for what they were: conven

at plane with Olivia, starting their new life. I was just a l

it was because her parents were out of town and she was scared to be alone. It was another lie, thin and

nd the man I had married in those photos, the man I thought I knew. I couldn't. Maybe he had never really existed. Maybe

eper Liam had hired, a woman whose pitying looks were almost as unbearable as Liam' s fake concern. The love I once felt

he was running late, that he was with Olivia because she had a "sca

re," he promised.

wasn't even disappointed anymore. There was just a va

side the entrance. Liam was holding Olivia' s arm, his head bent toward her, his expre

s I walked toward them. My heart felt like a dea

with Liam' s relatives and a few of his close friends. Their conversations stopped when I walked in. Every eye tu

re sh

she has the nerve

ow could she d

ed right up to me. "Ava. I' m surprised you came. After what you

asked, my voice

ow. Cheating on Liam while you' re carrying his...

standing by the window with Olivia, and I knew, with a sickening certainty, that he had told

s and accusations, orchestrated by its own father. My decision, the painful one I had made in

dn't stay here. I couldn'

g?" Liam' s voice called

my path. He looked annoyed, a

my voice low and trembling with suppressed rag

way. "They' re just upset

mask of sweet concern. "Ava, please don' t be angry. They' re just

er eyes gleaming with triumph. It was a masterful performanc

t worry, Liam! We' re all here for you a

front of me, at a party that was supposedly for my birthday. The humilia

tting a hand

help me. It was to scold me. "Ava

ective arm around Olivia' s shoulders. "Are you ok

as I stood there, shaking and sick to my stomach. He had turned my birthday party into

lest, most publ