. Cohen' s presence was sporadic, marked by brief visits filled with hollow apologies and distracted glanc

masochistic habit I couldn' t break. I watched their

ling it with thousands of fairy lights. A string quartet played in the background. It was

on one knee. Kiera, in a flowing white dress that made her look ethereal, stood be

lowers. A detail that twisted in my gut. He remembered

oadcast to millions. "This journey with you has bee

tears as she looked at h

stars, surrounded by gardenias, my favorite. He' d promised me a f

s were ash

on me. I was alone, nursing a broken arm and a shattered heart, whil

o pick me up. Not Cohen. He was, the driver informed

air was thick with the scent of champagne and expensive perfume. Cate

thank God you' re here. I need you to get ch

I asked, my

ness partners," he said, for

brate

o look away. "Kiera

ared, blocking my path. She was glowing, her arm linked th

said, her voice dripping with fake sincerity. "

ant face to Cohen' s plea

d. I walked past them, my head

, and she would giggle, tilting her head back in a way that was both innocent and seductive. He' d adjust the strap of her dress, a casual, intimate gesture

lness. I went to the bar and poured a glass of whi

glass of champagne, initiated a game of "Truth or Dare." It w

!" she

eryone was thinking. "Kiera, your memory is back. So, tell us the

silent. All ey

h unshed tears. She hesitated for a momen

eaking beautifully. "I never stoppe

clapped Cohen on the back. He beamed, pulling Kier

d I was the out-of-focus

ttering on the marble floor. No one notice

ocked the door and slid to the floor, my back against the cool tile. The sound of t

aking with silent, wracking sobs. I had lost

broken. I saw a fool. A woman who had ignored every red flag,

clothes and all. I scrubbed at my skin until it was raw, trying to was

ering and drenched, something inside me had shifted. The g

was also an antidote. It had killed