n Andr

lly wrapped box. "A little anniversary gift," he murmured agains

remembered a message from their group chat, a picture of this very box w

a small, artisanal cake, a delicate tiramisu dust

red another message, one tha

at I think it is

ing show dog. A personal touch. She won' t even know.

hantom vibration of their laughter, see their mocking faces on the screen of his laptop

in that performance of concern I was coming to

ning, Alex," I said, my voice bare

little less warm. "Just one bite, J

nd held it to my lips. He had deliberately scooped from th

d, his voice a gent

ny crack in the facade. There was nothing. Only a serene, lov

y part, to be the docile, trusting wife they expe

ed my

foul that coated my tongue. The taste was unspeakable. I forced myself to s

licious," I

" He patted my head like a dog. "I have to run to the office for a bi

ad and left the roo

. I knelt on the cold marble floor, shaking, a profound cold seeping into my bones. This wasn't just a prank. This was a violation. He didn't just not love

ening, I was curled in a ball on the floor, sweating and delirious with pain. Alex f

d after they had pumped my stomac

ng. I don't understand how this could have happene

idity, I heard his phone buzz repeatedly on the bedside table. He thou

inated by the scre

t I didn't need to. I knew. I had seen

y? You didn't actuall

affled. You should see me, I'm playing the part of the de

l her we're all

s screen. He typed back, She' s asleep

into a million tiny pieces. I squeezed my eyes shut, a single,

my eyes. Alex was leaning over me, his face

king my hair. "You're awa

at him, my exp

"Get some rest. I'

pulling his jacket around him, feigning a weary vig

dawn was filtering through the window. Ale

emergency meeting. Will be back

rlotte, laughing. Recounting the sto

gan, I didn't feel rage or sadness. I felt nothing at all. Just a vast, empty quiet. It was the quiet of a house after t

wake up, and a dry, bitter laugh escaped my lips.