Drunk: Do

ra

nd solitude. The Maldives was just as beautiful as I had imagined, the water so

re, no matter how much I tried to relax, I cou

is cold heartless words pl

t?" This question h

ook my head, trying to push the thought away. I'd spent too many tears on him already

my hair. The resort was alive with the sound of laughter and music, the holiday spirit in full s

looked, there

too, I really want

ocused on the moment-the sound of the waves, the warmth of the s

hile, i

mories returned. The humiliation, the betra

ts, my nails digg

ickly? How could he replac

ch, far from the main resort. Here, the sand was untou

or the first time in days,

the distance-a canopy of lights in between palm

er, my bare feet sink

s a w

orated, with white chairs arranged in neat rows and a floral arch overlooking t

ngs always reminded me of love, of hope, of the dream

walked past, her white dress trailing behind her as

the celebration. But as I glanced at the b

rker & E

back at me like a

elt rooted to the ground as I stared at the word

uldn'

en I s

in his tailored suit. Emma was by his side, her hand res

elt like it was being crushed, the air leaving my lungs in a

ight? All this-Everythin

had come here to heal, to escape, and instead, I h

me as I fled down the beach. My vision blurred with

ning until I reac

the space as guests lay around on the plush chairs.

ol and caught the

ou?" he asked, hi

t him, "Whiskey," I said,

at my tear-streaked face, but nodded

lcohol burning my throat and

sat there, staring at

ld he destroy me so completely and

d the glass, my chest heav

iding the glass back

row but refilled

uickly, the warmth spreading throug

rushing back, shar

wasn't enough. I heard Emma's laugh

mmed the glass onto the counter. "You

lanced at me bu

her drink, then another, the more I drank, the mor

to the beach, my bare feet sinking into the cool sand. The waves

legs folding beneath me as

scream came o

I cried for the love I thought I had, for the life I thought

child growing inside me who

ngers trembling. "I'm sorry," I whispe

lecting off the water. I tilted my head ba

he last time," I said, my voice barel

ast time I wil

tard! Yo

e night, carrying my ang

y legs weak beneath me, bu

for David. Done le

start of so