is voice low and menacing. He waved the divorce papers

t him, my expre

inued, his tone shifting to one of condescend

years," I shot back, my voice sharp. "Espe

is face. He hated being reminded

he snapped. "I told you, it

s perfectly styled hair, playing the

oblems, Alicia. Psychological

iting for the rest of

id, his voice dropping to a confidential whisper. "She said it was the only thing

ng. He was framing his grand betra

my silence more damnin

w you were hurt," he said, his voice softening into a placating p

timacy. "Once Faith is stable, we' ll do it ag

ers tracing a line down my skin. He used t

d that now sounded like a curse. "

touch as if I' d been bur

e, after they had been all ov

The mask of concern fell

u?" he hissed, his fac

ok at him. "Your little disappearing act, it pushed her over the edg

r of shock cutting

h a convincing display of remembered terror. "I found her

"You almost killed her, Alicia. You almost had a

bility on me. To make me responsible f

get about it?" I asked, my voic

hout a hint of hesita

ver see her again," I said,

, ugly sound. "Tha

k, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "

mmered agai

aid, his smile widening.

rushed out of my lungs, leaving a cold

on on my face and mi

ed, as if it were a perfectly reasonable

o had shattered my life, and I felt

, the word bar