a roaring static of

atching on the edge of our cheap rug. She stumbled, and the glass of red wine in her

ing down in horror. "This is v

o furious in an instant. He t

Are you trying to ru

" I said, my voice tre

iam commanded, his vo

at him.

apologi

r face. "I don't just want an apology. I w

as Liam. The man I loved. The man who had cri

no," I

ed my arm, his fingers digg

Ava. Don't make

e pain in my heart was a gaping woun

worn wooden floor with a hard thud.

. Liam, the man I had given everything to, and th

forced the words o

mirked. "Tha

his hand on his pants as if

of sweet concern. "Let's go, darling. We'll get you a ne

t behind them, leaving me on th

time, the smell of the rui

had packed a small bag with the few thin

cked t

think you're g

leave," I said,

just leave. You know too much. What if you go to the press? A j

arted to creep

thing, Liam. I j

ed at me. A strange, calcu

said softly. "My fut

r and poured a glass of water f

ink this. It will

he pressed it into my

amed a warning. A few days ago, my paranoia about his recent secretive behavior had led me to place a tiny audio re

out. I took a small sip to appease h

l, satisfied smile on

felt like I had swallowed acid. I tried to scream, to call

the floor. I clutched my throat, my ey

me, his expres

he said calmly, as if discussing the weather. "It damag

. I couldn't breathe. M

I heard as my world went dark. "I have to take care of my l