full of a deep, professional sadness. He didn't try to talk me out of it, he simply listened as

he table. "It's a high-dosage amnesiac. It targets trauma-associated memories first, but the effects can

vial, my fingers closing around the cool glass.

process should be complete. And Ava... get out. Don't just erase t

vial. "I have a plane ti

s simple: pack a small bag, take my son's ashes, and leave forever. I needed to take the firs

r as if he'd been waiting for me. He offered me a small,

ensed. "I'm jus

that made my skin crawl. "I made you some chamomile tea. To help you re

e wavered. Maybe... maybe he was grieving too. I took a hesitant sip. It was just tea. I drank half the mug, the warmth sp

vision blurring at the e

reveal the cold, calculating man beneath. "Just a mild sedative

. Panic flared, but my limbs felt like lead. I

, Liam?" I slurred,

ir. "Chloe is moving in permanently. She's so worried about you, and frankly, so am I. In

in my own home, all for Chloe. The back door opened, and Chloe walked in, pulling a small suitcase behind her. She was

iam and I will make sure you're safe." Her words were honey-laced poison, a declaration of victory. She had won. She had my husband, my home, and now she was my

about how I needed to keep my strength up. Liam was always at her side, his hand on her back, looking at her with a sick, paternal adoration that made me want to scream. I pretended t

"I made your favorite, Ava," she said, her voice cloyi

lightly gritty. It was sickeningly familiar. My stomach churned. I took another small taste, trying to place it. And then I knew. My blood ran cold

was a desecration of my most sacred memory. The memory of feeding my son, of his tiny, happy

as empty, collapsing onto the cold tile floor, sobbing with a grief so profound it felt like it was tearing

he mess in the toilet bowl, and his face hardened into a mask of pur

He didn't ask what happened. He just saw the scene and judged me instantly. "Chloe makes y

od in it," I choked out, tear

I just used a little extra sugar, I know she likes it sweet. Sh

ght now," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. He didn't believe me. Of course, he didn't. In his eyes, Chloe was the vic