cheerful smile plastered on his face. He was humming as he flipp

d, his voice bright. "I made yo

derness that was now obscene. I felt li

" he continued. "Just the two of

, my voice c

over the pan. He stared at me

o go anywhere w

face a mask of concern. He crouched down, taking

said, his voice a low, soothing murmur. "I am s

ok he had given me in the hospital five years ag

ing the breakfast Maria had left for

seemed to decide I had forgiven h

to my feet. "Let's go shopping.

ly dragged m

ere already sittin

sank. O

ing my eyes. "And Miss Camacho needed to pick up a few things

iew mirror for a split second, a look of l

ar, a silent, unwilling passenge

me into the most expensive stores. He bought me dresses,

cky," one of them gushed.

ainful smile. Adored

ire necklace, a look of raw longing on her face. She had come from a wealthy family, but Jackson

y gaze. He saw the

came back with a small

clipped and impatient, as if he were annoyed. "Try th

brushing against her skin. It was a lie, a thin, pathetic

up inside me. It was all

of the store. I couldn't

waiting for the valet to bri

reeched around the corner. It was out of c

, who had just stepp

ce went whit

A!" he

e. He was standing next to me. He shoved me, hard. I stum

ve me. He did it to g

ndida, pushing her o

't fast

f metal against flesh. He flew through the ai

aos. People were screamin

nd, his leg bent at an unnatural angle

e was looking past me, at Cand

voice a pained whisper.

ting. In that moment, watching him lie broke

f love I had for him died.

hospital. I didn'

, looking down at the man

rned and w

ough my own. I looked at the dark mark

hest, a deep, hollow ache tha