a's

ould steady the furious pounding of my heart. My cheeks were wet, and when I brushed the back of my hand across my face, I

e. The stupid one for expecting that he would ever be anything other than the cold, unfeeling

command. I had been someone who almost never cried. Someone who had learned long ago that tears were wasted on people who did not

d him f

through me as though I were nothing but a ghost haunting his periphery. And more than Simon, I hated myself for still clinging to hope, ev

s a man who simply needed patience, who needed someone to wait long enough for his defenses to crumble

and without hesitation, reapplied for divorce. My finger pressed the screen with finality. This

hone began to ring. Her

lic

the phone off. I knew exactly what she would say - the same words she always did. Give him time. He will come around. He is not as

iliar hum of Simon's car engine, then the sound of him pulling away. Only then did I descend, intent on retrievin

e stairs, something

ugh

n, so startling, t

s his

d in the same breath. His laugh was warm - intoxicating - and before I knew it, butterflies had erupted in my stomach. For months, I had imagined what it might be like

light was

ng heavier than the last, until I reac

n behind h

lung to his arm as though she had always belonged there, as though his body had been molded with a space meant just for her. Her hand gra

e want

His hand rested at her waist like it had found its home, his eyes softened in ways I

r gaze f

e girlfriend. The woman who, apparently, had always been in hi

and dismissed me. She nestled closer into him, lips brushing his neck, finger

ady? Is she on

ind," he said coolly. "Remember I told you about her?

ruck harder t

ience, a contract to be erased. My gaze flicked to the oversized wedding portrait hanging on the wall - th

s across his chest. "I thought

s her knuckles. "Waiting for the public to lose inte

siness. Just the Valero image, pristine and untouchable. My hum

ng in me

fully int

lf with applying for divorce. I've already filed. My signature is there. Yours is all

in his expression extinguished in an in

stop. I don't even want to know wha

our mother assured me you were different. That beneath the frost, you were kind. I was the fool who be

d at Sarah's arm. "You will not leav

father. You don't get to dictate my steps anymore. And don't worry about your precious company.

wallet from the side tab

,' but let's not pretend. You're an asshole, Simon. And you," I said, turning to Sarah, "you'

His voice followed me down the hall, barking

pped around my body, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like cleansing. Like freedom. I took in a de

ut

wrong