ie

toilet, dry-heaving until my muscles ached. The last few days had been a blur of forced smiles, hollow conversations, and excruciating agony. Damon was

oed in my mind, "You're pregnant, Ellie. About three months along." Three months

e investigator. "Ms. Bradshaw, I've got some interesting findings for you. It ap

cked. It was a private blog, an online diary. Katin

perfect grades, perfect boyfriend. She always had everything. An

I had loved her. I had

s me. He craves me. She's so boring, so predictable. He told me. He told me

ined from my face. This was it. The truth. The real r

hate it. I hate her. He says he wants me to be his bride. He sa

it on "The Den," about the housewarming gift.

. He said he couldn' t resist. She' s too muc

overed for Katina, helped her with rent, lent her money, celebrated her small victories as if they were my own. I h

ore. It was deeper, more intense. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I slid to the

keys, the world grey and spinning. My hands fumbled with the ignition, my

ring my body, throwing me forward. My head hit something hard. But even in that split second

kne

machinery. My head throbbed, a dull ache behind my eyes. Damon was the

hed to my side, his voice thick with emotion. He r

med in, her voice gentle. "He was frantic. He even tried to stop traff

on his forearm. He looked at me, his eyes wide and pleading. "I th

ost swayed me. Almost. But Katina's blog, t

attempts at comfort. "I want to file a report. I remember the

andle it. I'll take care of it. This is too much for you right n

e gaining strength. "I wa

. Trust me. I'll make sure they pay. I'll use all my resourc

ask slipping over his features. "I... I have to take this. Important business call." He strode out of the

s nothing compared to the agony in my soul. I threw on my hospital gown, my body still aching, but driv