that clung to my skin and immediately chilled me to the bone. I shivered violently, but the physical sensation was almost a relief, a sharp c

and Jenna were

ess, a drain on resources. He' d painted a vivid picture of a childless future, just him and me

age apartment, dreaming big. I was terrified, but also secretly thrilled. A tiny

Not now. This is a crucial time for Innovate Tech. Do you want to jeopardiz

I came out, pale and trembling, he barely looked up. "Here," he said, handing me a thick envelope stuffed with cash. "

. And again. And

Each time, the same clinic, the same cold metal stirrups, the same sterile air. Eac

the consequences, to swallow the bitter pills, to undergo the invasive procedures. I convinced myself it was because he

" she'd said, her voice gentle but firm, "your body can't take much more.

ling prophecy. But still, I stayed. Sti

anniversary, though only I remembered. I had cooked his favorite meal, lit candles, bought a small cake.

er cam

, began to throb with a dull premonition. I drove to Innovate Tech, my stomach clenching with

his back to me, in an embrace with Jenna. Her honey-blonde hair fanned across his chest, her soft

olding slipped from my numb fingers, crashing to the flo

Jenna, startled, scrambled off him, pulling her dress down. She looked at me, a

ced with pure fury, as if I were the intruder. He quickly gr

ng at me with wide, frightened

life, strewn across his polished office floor. I remember turning, slowly, mechanically, and quietly

d cheap lies, I was waiting. The house was in chaos. I had systematically destroyed everyt

asked, my vo

the damage with an air of weary resignation. "Alize, d

n?" I repeated,

t. "A few months. What does it matter? You're bei

terical? Is this what you offer for seven years of my life? A fe

lize? Money? I'll give you anything. Just d

I gave up for you?" I grabbed my phone, my fingers fumbling with the screen. I scrolled to Jenna's contact. "I'm going to call her. I'

is face contorted with rage. "You will not! She knows nothing about that. She

Was she just a pawn, as I had been? Or was she a willing accomplice, a sh

ed, tears finally streaming do

chest heaving. "If that's how you feel, the

eld the threat of divorce over my head, a sword dangling by a thread. But this time, something had s

ing genius I had loved, but a hollow, selfish stranger. "Fi

o cling to him as I always had. But I didn't. I just s

was entitled to. "You never contributed anything legally, Alize," his lawyer had sneered. "You were just a wife." A se

th venom as I walked away from the courthouse, a free woman in na

ght. Until this reunion, which I only attended because Sarah had

Flas

nst the cold stone railing of the terrace, trying to quiet the trembling in my

was pale, her eyes red-rimmed, her shoulders slumped. She looke

her voice hoarse. "I..