into my own tomb. The air was thick with the scent of lilies, his favo

dark liquor in his hand, staring out at th

six hours," he said, his v

s are dead

still not looking at me. "Th

ream, to claw his eyes out. But I remembered Amit's words. Be s

bedroom. The whole place was a museum of o

n our first anniversary. I was laughing, my head thrown back, a genui

' d woken me up at dawn, pulling me out onto a balcony that overlooked the sea. He to

believ

with a reputation for being a kingmaker. He was charismatic, brilliant, and intense. H

appy. He supported my work, challenged my ideas, and loved m

olleague I'd had lunch with. "You don't need to waste y

solated me from my own team. He bought out a majority share in my company,

-consuming loves that often ended in tragedy. His grandfather had kept his wife a virtual prisoner in their mansion

software on my car and my laptop. He chose my clothes. He alienated my friend

and called a cab. He was waiting for me in the lobby. I never found out how h

his voice breaking. "After everythin

d me for two days, not sleeping, not eating, just watching. It was the most terrifying e

apist to deal with my "instability." H

in the bedroom. I heard her laugh, a sound of smug satisfaction. I

al blow. When I confronte

ut a trace of shame. "She understands the bur

ries swirled around me, fueling the cold fire in my gut. He had tak

t his passion blind me to the poison beneath. The regret was a

the doorway, bl

stand there all

my sides. The grief and rage were a tidal w

me was engraved on it. I grabbed it, the weight solid and real in my ha