ushed into his arms. "Oh, Arth

ing else... satisfaction. He held her tight, smearing

mutilating himself to erase me, all for her. The tattoo had been my eighteenth-birthday gi

I loved anymore.

was being carved out, just

ballroom, ignoring the curious stares. I ran back

e medicine cabinet for my ulcer medication, my han

to the bed in the guest room, the room tha

Diana. She was wearing my silk bathrobe, the

over the fabric. She was smiling, a smug, vi

her, too numb t

anished. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue

t," I w

life that should have been mine. He doesn't love you, y

Her eyes widened in fake fear as

r voice suddenly high and panicked. "I'll t

iana cowering, my robe clutched arou

do to her?" he

d, my voice flat

Ella!" he shouted. "A

It's my fault, Arthur. I shouldn't have wor

Look at you, you're trembling." He turned to me, his eyes b

repeated, my voice rising.

grabbing my arm. His grip was like iro

e room. I struggled, trying to p

ally believe I would hur

saw a flicker of doubt in his eye

wrist hurts," Diana c

ished. The mo

inches from mine. He dragged me through the

old, sterile hallway of the apartment building. I s

ink about what you've

e. The click of the lock was

me. I banged on the door, screaming his name, but ther

tabbing pain that made me double over. The hallway

cious thought was of his promise at the Met. "I wi

too? Carved out of his he