Stanle

ad tried to pull me away, but I just stood there, watching Howard and Anais. The kiss had b

met mine across the crowded bar. For a split second, a flicker of triumph, quickly masked by feigned innocence, cross

ale beer and betrayal clinging to my cloth

have you been, Kacey?" he demanded, his voice tight with ba

I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "

. I've been calling you all night. You just

into the room. "The kind who realizes she has a right to brea

cticed shift. "Kacey, I was worried. You ran off, didn't

worried about your perfect

d it's your birthday. I was planning a huge surprise for you. A party. Next week." He gestured vagu

e in my mouth. "For what, Howard? For me to disappear so

a hug, but I stiffened. "I love you. You're my wife. I just...

as vulnerable for ten years, Howard? While you

cult. I'm trying to make amends here. I bought you that limited edition sci-f

u," I said, my voice flat. "I seem to have lost my

ed. "You're being unreasonable, Kac

"Or are you trying to buy my s

what? Fine. Be ungrateful. Be petty. But don't you dare think

hallenged, folding my arms across my chest. "Is it so

u're going to ruin everything!" he roared,

hat, Howard. Ten years ago, when you married a 'prophecy' instead of

e that," he stammered, even more unconvincingly than before. "It was...

ss' always seems to be incredibly convenient for your business strategy." I took a deep b

ade crumbling. "Kacey! Are you serious?" He lun

oice cold. "And I'm locking the

in the sudden quiet. He stood outside for a moment, then I heard a muffled curse, and the sickening thud of s

e number]. Tell him Jules sent you. He' s booked up for the next fe

my lips. The first gen

d to love doing, volunteering my time, before Howard deemed it "unproducti

ood to see you! W

ar warmth spread through m

g laugh. Anais's tinkling giggle. My heart sank, not with pain, but with an exhausting sense of i

ver a fluffy golden retriever puppy. Howard was holding the puppy, looking lik

ichols?" a little girl piped

nce at Howard. "Oh, Sarah," she gig

insisted, their innocent curiosity cu

itation passing between them. "Well," she began, her voice

he unspoken, began to c

through the room. His eyes briefly met mine, sta

d in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. The children erupted in cheers.

. Just a profound emptiness where pain used to be. It was l

rl, suddenly shrieked, pointi

quickly pushed Anais away, stepping

, my voice clear and cutting through the sudden si

y ran towards me. I smiled at them, a genuine smile, a

tugged on my shirt. "Ms. Stanley," he asked, his brow fu

, who was now desperately trying to make

my voice soft but firm.

mixture of anger and desperation. "Kacey, we need to talk. N

faint, mocking smile playing on my lips. "How wonderful you and Anais look tog

n. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His eye